Karen Mitchell has a simple answer when asked what has kept New Kensington’s Festa Italiana going strong for 44 years.

Food!

“The food is good, and people enjoy it,” said Mitchell of New Kensington, who’s in her third year as the main coordinator for Mount St. Peter Church’s annual event.

Festa Italiana is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1-2, at the church, 100 Freeport Road.

Food served includes lasagna, spaghetti, Italian sausage and meatballs, pizza, cannoli and more.

“It is rewarding to get people together and see people we haven’t seen for a long time,” Mitchell said. “I love the camaraderie, and it helps the church.”

Most all of the food is prepared on-site leading up to the festival. It’s cooked on festival days by volunteers.

Mitchell estimated she and her team of about 100 volunteers spend about 100 hours preparing for the event.

“They do a lot of work,” she said. “We are so blessed to have the group we have.”

Mitchell said the event, on average, draws about 300 people each night.

Games, activities, live music

The festival will also feature games for adults and children, bingo and raffles. Other activities include an obstacle course for kids and games of chance for adults.

Music includes VZH&M from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, and the 56 East Band from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Mitchell said all the work volunteers put into the event is worth it.

“It’s a matter of putting my faith in God that it will all work out,” she said.

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