Roseto gears up for weekend-long Cent'anni celebration

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/slate-belt/index.ssf/2012/08/roseto_gears_up_for_weekend-lo.html FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES Whether people come to Roseto this weekend to celebrate 100 years of history or just to watch the fireworks display, they should expect to leave satisfied, Mayor Desiree DeNicola said. "If anyone goes away not having a good time it's their own fault because there's something for everybody," said DeNicola. Beginning tonight with live music, food and entertainment and continuing throughout the weekend, the borough will be hosting a variety of events to commemorate its 100-year anniversary, known as "Cent'anni." Saturday will feature a lengthy parade through the borough with more than 20 Fiats, arranged by Palmer Township's Fiat of Lehigh Valley and local radio show Tempo Italiano, in the procession to commemorate 100 years of Italian-American heritage. Fireworks are scheduled that night for 11:15 p.m. Rounding out the weekend, an ecumenical service will be held on Sunday at the Bangor-Roseto Presbyterian Church. Musical performances will follow the service. DeNicola said that while it took a lot of hard work and planning, she's thrilled with how the year-long celebration has come together and thanked residents for volunteering their time. "We're just very pleased that so many people are getting involved because this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing," DeNicola said. "It shows the quality of the people who live in Roseto." Cen'tanni committee member Angeline Diorio said a bus of more than 50 people from Toronto, Canada, with similar ties to Roseto's ancestral Italian town, Roseto Valfortore, will be arriving sometime over the weekend to partake in the festivities. With most of the weekend's events planned outdoors, Diorio is hoping everyone stays dry. "I hope the weather does hold up because we have a lot scheduled and we worked very hard for it," Diorio said. * * * IF YOU GO Tonight: Beginning at 5 p.m., performances from DJ Peanut, the Toga Party Band and a magic show at the Roseto ballpark. Saturday: Parade down Garibaldi Avenue beginning at 1 p.m. followed by performances from the Wind Gap Blue Eagles, the No Daddies, Frank Zito and AC and the Romantics. Fireworks will conclude the evening at 11:15. Sunday: Ecumenical service at 2 p.m. at the Bangor-Roseto Presbyterian Church followed by performances from Danny Farole, Ralph Romano and the Lehigh Valley Italian-American Band at the Roseto ballpark.