Photo Gallery: Second Annual Peekskill Italian Festival

Classic Italian tunes filled the streets of downtown Peekskill this weekend as families and friends gathered for rides, games, and to feast on Italian favorites like sausage and peppers, zeppoles and rice balls.

During the opening ceremony on Aug. 12 Salvatore Scaramellino was honored as this year's Distinguished Italian Citizen. Scaramellino is a retired restauranteur who owned Sorrento's restaurant, a beloved meeting place and restaurant in Peekskill for almost fifty years.

Peekskill city officials Mayor Mary Foster, Deputy Mayor Don Bennett, County Legislator John Testa (District 1), Council members Marybeth McGowan and Joe Schuder helped kick off the event. Council woman Patricia Reilly hosted the opening ceremony, often adding anecdotes about Italian ancestry. Reverand John Higgins of Assumption Church gave a blessing to the festival - proceeds from the event will be donated to the church as well as other local charities.

Legislator Testa presented the following festival volunteers with proclamations honoring them for their hard work and time dedicated to the three-day event.

Rev. John Higgins
Leslie Masson
Marina Cotti
Susan McDonald
Cosimo Buetti
Lisa Palmarly
Frank Cimino

The weekend also included performances by the Andy Polay Band, Mary Mancini & Mario Tacca Italian Singing Duo, Doug Ferony Orchestra: Sinatra Tribute, Micheal Castaldo: Italian Tenor and many more.

The festival was sponsered by several organizations, including the Business Improvement District, and was run by Director Frank Cimino.

Click through the photos to get a taste of the Peekskill Italiana Festival.

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