Festa Italiana set for Friday and Saturday in Lynn

LYNN ? It’s time for the annual Holy Family Parish Festa Italiana. The festival, which has been a favorite for Lynners for decades, will get under way this Friday at 6 p.m. on the church grounds on Bessom Street.Festa Italiana is a fun-filled family event. Bill Travascio, one of the organizers, said there will be free entertainment each evening and new rides this year.”We have Cushing Amusements this year,” he said. “Most of the rides will appeal to younger kids. We will also have some of the favorite parish games like the fish game, darts and ring toss. Festa Italiana is about family fun and entertainment.”DJ Vitale will be spinning tunes both nights and there is some live entertainment on tap.Admission to the festival is free and it includes numerous activities including contests and face painting. The festival also has games and prizes for all ages including games of chance for those 18 and older.One thing that draws festivalgoers back each year is the authentic Italian home cooked meals. It takes more than 200 volunteers and countless manhours to prepare for the festival, which includes a wide array of homemade Italian foods including calzonez, meatballs, pasta dishes, pizza and delectable Italian pastries.Father Gregory Mercurio spends hours in the kitchen with other parish members making more than 2,000 meatballs for pasta dinners and meatball subs. In addition to Italian specialties, traditional carnival foods including sausage sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs and fried dough will be available. After dinner be sure to check out the expresso bar and its collection of pastries and desserts.The first fiesta was held in 1978 and it is the only annual fundraiser for the small parish, but Festa Italiana is about more than money, it is about community. Mercurio said the first Italian Festivals were a way for the community to come together and celebrate the Saints.”It’s an opportunity for everyone to come together as a community and have fun,” he said. “Community is important.”Holy Family is located at 26 Bessom St., off Eastern Avenue near the intersection of Essex Street. The festival runs Friday from 6-10 p.m. and Saturday from 2-10 p.m.