Latrobe’s inaugural Italian festival to honor city’s history

Latrobe’s First Ward is known for its Italian roots and this month, community members can spend a weekend celebrating that rich history.

On Sept. 10 and 11, 512 Coffee and Ice Cream will host the city’s first Italian festival.

Michael Ciotti, the coffee shop’s owner, sees the event as a way to “celebrate a portion of our heritage.”

“It’s cool to celebrate whatever ethnicity you are,” Ciotti said. “It’s nice to do something like that in Latrobe.”

As he began planning the celebration, Ciotti knew that great food and good music are key to an Italian festival.

About 70 vendors and eight bands are set to participate. Other scheduled festivities include Italian-themed crafts, horse-drawn carriage rides, a bocce tournament and face painting.

Admission is free. The festival will take place in the vicinity of the coffee shop, located at 512 Ligonier St.

Ciotti is Italian and the building that houses the coffee shop has Italian roots.

One of Latrobe’s oldest 19th century homes, the building was once owned by the Latrobe Sons of Little Italy and featured a bocce court in the backyard, Ciotti said.

“Our heritage is Italian, and we thought it would be great to highlight the Italians who lived in that area of Latrobe,” Ciotti said.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.