La Festa Italiana Set for Labor Day Weekend in Scranton As another summer heads for the horizon, fun seekers of all ages can still look forward to an annual treat that keeps the good vibes flowing. It’s getting to be that time for La Festa Italiana, four days of great food and lively entertainment served up in the Italian culture and spirit in Scranton, PA over Labor Day weekend. La Festa Italiana will be held Friday through Monday, Aug. 29 through Sept. 1, 2025 on Courthouse Square in the heart of downtown Scranton, PA. Hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Monday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The presenting sponsor is Lehigh Valley Hospital-Dickson City, part of Jefferson Health.The festival is an annual celebration of culture, cuisine and continuous entertainment. Admission is free. Of course, there is the food, a mouth-watering variety tempting the taste buds! Among the many culinary delights is the famous porketta sandwich prepared by the Scranton Chapter of UNICO, the national Italian-American service organization. Another hot spot – literally – is the Cappuccino Café, where you can sip a creamy cup to go with your favorite Italian pastry. In between bites, people of all ages will enjoy Italian vocalists, artists and local bands as well as dance groups performing over four days and nights on three stages. In addition, crafts, Italian-themed clothing and novelties, a Heritage Park, bocce games, bounce rides for the kids and more will be available.The Alfredo’s Main Stage opening act on Friday (Aug. 29) will feature a tribute to recently deceased Paul LaBelle, leader of the Exact Change Band. Later that evening is the popular band Picture Perfect. The lineup on Saturday (Aug. 30) features The Cameos, New Jersey’s Favorite Oldies Group, and a Billy Joel Tribute. Sunday (Aug. 31) begins with the annual Mass in Italian at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Peter, located one block from the festival site. The Mass will also be televised live by CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton. The entertainment on Sunday includes a Connie Francis tribute and a Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin Tribute Show featuring Chris DiMattio and Las Vegas’ Andy DiMino with Ken McGraw’s Brass & Ivory Big Band and several special guests. On Monday (Sept. 1) there will be a 100th birthday celebration for WWII Veteran Gene “Dempsey” Passarella, maestro of his namesake Orchestra. La Festa Italiana will literally hit the ground running with the 13th Annual Captain James R. Minicozzi Memorial 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 10 a.m. The race is being sponsored by the Scranton Chapter of UNICO, the national Italian-American service organization, and proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania Christmas Party and college scholarships for students at Captain Minicozzi’s alma mater, West Scranton High School. To register in advance ($25) go to: runsignup.com/Minicozzi or on race day ($35) from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at corner of North Washington Avenue and Linden Street. For news and updates, including the festival entertainment schedule, visit www.lafestaitaliana.org, Facebook: La Festa Italiana di Lackawanna County, Instagram: lafestascranton.
AT&T Opens Connected Learning Center at Boys & Girls Clubs of NEPA in Scranton to Help Bridge the Digital Divide New dedicated learning center in Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania will provide access to internet, technology, and digital learning resources for club members Key Takeaways: Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania and AT&T open new Connected Learning Center to provide digital resources for club members AT&T contributed $100,000 to support the creation and operation of the center AT&T opened a new Connected Learning Center (CLC) inside the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania in Scranton to provide internet access and high-quality educational tools to club members. AT&T made a $100,000 contribution to the club to help launch the center and for programming support. This Connected Learning Center is the first one in Pennsylvania. It offers free access to digital resources. In Scranton, the BGC used the funds to purchase 10 Chromebooks for use by students when visiting the club, with more to be added in the future. The club also procured desktops to help manage students’ participation in the many programs at the club. It also provides educational resources such as The Achievery, a free digital learning platform by AT&T, and free digital literacy courses in partnership with the Public Library Association. Homework help and mentoring are also provided by AT&T employees and community volunteers. “Our investment in the AT&T Connected Learning Center at the Boys and Girls Clubs in Scranton reflects our commitment to get more Americans connected and make an impact in the communities we serve,” said David Kerr, president, AT&T Pennsylvania and West Virginia. “The center will give club members access to internet connectivity, educational and mentoring resources to help them succeed in digital school and job environments.” AT&T also plans to bring its award-winning, high-speed fiber internet service to Northeastern Pennsylvania in the future. AT&T launched this center as part of the AT&T Connected Learning® initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability, and safe adoption. AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to the internet by 2030. “We are so appreciative of our relationship with AT&T and their investment in the children we serve at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Tricia Thomas, executive director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania. AT&T opens these centers within local nonprofit organizations that are already adept at supporting underserved populations within their community, including some of our nation’s most vulnerable students and families. The company plans to open at least 100 Connected Learning Centers across the country by the end of 2027. Learn more at att.com/connectedlearning.
Jeannine Luby Presents Grant to Boys and Girls Clubs of NEPA The Humor Therapy Fund of the Scranton Area Foundation is a donor-advised fund that was initiated in 2006 by Jeannine Luby, owner of Laugh to Live, as part of a graduate project at Marywood University. The fund was created with the purpose of promoting therapeutic laughter and humor throughout the greater Scranton area, which Luby says is needed now more than ever. Each year a grant is dispersed to a local 501c3 nonprofit organization and this year that recipient is the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania who will use the funding to bring in the award-winning ‘Josh and Gab’ kindness and bullying-awareness musical comedy program that focuses on healthy choices, creativity, and community. Pictured in photo from left are Angel, Tricia Thomas, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania; Jeannine Luby, owner of Laugh to Live & donor adviser of the Humor Therapy Fund of the Scranton Area Foundation, and Willow.
