This photo was taken in July 1949 following the completion of the existing High Level Bridge from North Hill into Cuyahoga Falls. The bridge on the right was the original High Level built from 1913 - 1915. The original bridge was closed but remained standing for about a year and was then dynamited. The top of the photo is the North Hill side. The original bridge went across the Gorge from the end of Howard Street. 

The following article appeared in the 1997 Italian Festival Program celebrating the Festival's 50th anniversary:

GOLDEN YEARS
by Don Ursetti

(Author's note: Due to time constraints preparing this article for print, it was next to impossible to talk to all the people who could have contributed---which includes just about the entire Italian community of Summit County. Unfortunately, and to their chagrin, the Council of Italian-American Societies did not appoint an historian to chronicle the early days of its existence. Subsequently, there may be items mentioned that some readers might question for their veracity, but since little is documented of the early years of the society picnics and the early Festivals, I must beg your forgiveness if I apply a little journalistic license and rely on the recall of the many people with whom I spoke. Frankly, I trust them, and if there is a date or a name here or a detail or two there that is missing, it is of little concern...or should be. Just hearing about those early years was a joy, and I feel privileged I had the opportunity to recount those memories here. Fact is, all of us have our special memories of Italian Festivals past, and it is my hope that something noted in this article will rekindle even more.)

When in Roma...

The Tramonte Family's orchard, Roma Park, was located on Akron-Medina Rd. where Routes 18 and 94 intersected. While no one is quite certain when they started (at least one person recalls being at one picnic in 1929), there is no dispute Roma Park was the site for the annual summer picnics of various Italian societies.

These picnics were the forerunners of the Italian Festival. The society membership would gather to honor their patron saint. For example, the Carovillese Society would honor St. Stephen, The Cassanese Society would celebrate Our Lady of the Angels, the Conversanese Society paid homage to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and, what is widely regarded as the largest of the society picnics, the Pugliese Society (Barese) gathered to hail St. Nicholas. Smaller picnics were conducted by the Unione Abruzzese, Castel Di Sangro and the Sons of Italy at North Hill parks such as Columbus Hall.

A Parade Walker

As the years passed, the picnics became traditional activities and participation by the Italian community increased. The day of each picnic turned into an event. The catalysts for this growth were Dick Percocco and Jimmy Walker. Walker, while not Italian, was a leading member of the North Hill community and he was the personification of the word 'dapper.' There was no mistaking Jimmy Walker's presence. All you needed to spot was his neatly combed silver hair augmented by his white suit and white shoes. His style and carriage reminded many of his namesake, who was making headlines as the mayor of New York City.

But North Hill's Jimmy Walker, while not leading a city, did lead his friends on an impromptu parade the day of the picnic. Families would gather in the parking lot of St. Anthony's Church and Walker would send them on a winding tour through the nearby streets, with members holding a statue of their chosen patron saint aloft at the front of the line. Eventually, the group ended up at Columbus Hall at Butler Ave. and Naples Ct., where the marchers would board chartered buses to take them to Roma Park.

Upon arrival, the celebration began. As the years progressed more features were added to the picnics. One feature, especially, has endured to become a staple of the Italian Festival: music. A band was formed to perform throughout the day. The group consisted of musicians from around Northeast Ohio and sometimes as many as 60 players joined in, including a teen-aged clarinetist by the name of Phil Palumbo, who was 12 the first time he sat in. The band played an eclectic assortment of music, yet it was distinctively Italian, from traditional songs of the homeland to polkas to marches to arias from operas. A Clevelander called simply "Libratore" or a barber from Warren, Hugo Buonfiglio, normally served as the bandleaders.

This being a picnic, there was obviously a lot of food, but let's just say there wasn't a corn dog to be found...or a vendor. Families brought their own baskets filled with bowls of spaghetti and meatballs and other entrees that normally would sit steaming on the Sunday-after-church dinner table. Bottles of wine were opened and watermelon and Italian candies provided dessert, and if a kid was really lucky, he would get to enjoy a popsicle or a cup of lemon ice.

As the day wore on, bocci games and animated contests of morre' would break out throughout Roma Park. If you weren't watching them, not to worry, you'd be able to hear them. Meanwhile, the kids would engage in relay races and sack races. If there was a downside to all this (and this is reported because nearly everyone contacted alluded to this aspect of the picnics), it was the horrible facilities. The well-worn outhouses made venturing into one a test of endurance. It wasn't long before the men at the picnic began retreating into the wooded areas for several "mini-hikes."

The Percocco Influence

But the highlight of the picnic was yet to come, and all eyes were trained on Dick Percocco to provide the signal that it was about to begin. As nightfall approached, the folks would watch for Percocco to grab a chair, pick out a prime spot and sit down. While Percocco was deciding his seating arrangements, the band would act as a Pied Piper of sorts and lead the gathering in a little march through Roma Park to the area where Dick Percocco was sitting (and it was well understood that nobody took their place in front of Mr. Percocco). When they reached their destination, the band would provide a little entertainment, a jam session, until the moment arrived. And then the first salvo would sound and the night sky would be illuminated by the first explosion of the fireworks display. While this might have been Dick Percocco's favorite part of the picnics, he enjoyed every aspect of them, and he has been described as the man who provided the impetus for the Italian community to continue, and enhance, the traditional picnics.

A New Society

The societies listened. The picnics continued to grow and Roma Park continued to be the site of many of them. But during the war years, for reasons not entirely clear, some of the picnics left Roma Park for Brady Lake in Portage County and Meyers Lake in Stark County. It was not uncommon for the picnic-goers to mount the statue of their patron saint on a boat and set it afloat on the lakes during the fireworks display, its silhouette on the water a sharp contrast to the explosions overhead.

In the interim, the Italian communities in North Hill, Firestone Park and other areas of Summit County were experiencing definite growth, and that carried over to membership in the Italian societies. Recognizing this growth, leaders from the various societies huddled and it was decided that, as one, the Italian clubs should form a partnership to heighten awareness of the Italian heritage and traditions, especially the celebration of Columbus Day.

Thus, on November 10, 1947, the Council of Italian-American Societies (CIAS) was founded. Included in the newly formed CIAS were: Calabrian Guild (Calabrese Society), Carovillese Society & Ladies Auxiliary, Cassanese Society & Ladies Auxiliary, Castel Di Sangro Society & Ladies Auxiliary, Conversanese Society & Ladies Auxiliary, Father Duffy Post #4, Holy Name Society of St. Anthony, Kenmore Italian Civic Club, Pugliese (Barese) Society & Ladies Auxiliary, Rosetani Society, Sicilian-American Society & Ladies Auxiliary, Sons of Italy/Akron Lodge #685 & Ladies Auxiliary and Unione Abruzzese & Ladies Auxiliary (later the CIAS would be joined by the Italian-American Professional and Businessmen's Club and the Italian-American Young Adults).

The founders of the CIAS were: Joseph Barbuto (Calabrese), Angeline D'Amico (Abruzzese), Leo Ferro (Sons of Italy), Julia Form (Castel Di Sangro & Father Duffy Post #4), Joseph Graci (Sicilian-American), Joseph Guardi (Sicilian-American & Sons of Italy), Anna Scichilone (Sicilian-American), Anna Tassiello (Pugliese & Sons of Italy), Ernest Teodosio (Sons of Italy) and Joseph Valenti (Sicilian-American & Sons of Italy).

And so, the CIAS was born. Its primary social function was the Columbus Day celebration. A banquet would be held annually and each society would select a young lady from its membership to represent their clubs at the Columbus Day banquet. From those representatives would be chosen the Columbus Day Queen. In 1948, the first Miss Columbus Day was crowned: Molly Racco, now Molly Scaduto. It is a tradition that exists to this day.

The Second Sunday in July

Meanwhile, the societies would continue their individual picnics. What apparently happened was too many clubs were holding their events on the same day. It simply got to be too unwieldy a proposition, as there were some folks who belonged to more than one club or another family member belonged to another society and its picnic conflicted with the other...pick the scenario, it was just getting too difficult for everyone to get on the same page.

That is when the CIAS stepped in with a proposal based more on common sense and necessity than anything else. Instead of each society hosting its own summer picnic, it was decided that the CIAS would sponsor one event bringing together the Italian community for one, large celebration. Every year, the second Sunday in July would serve as the day of the Italian Festival.

The first Italian Festival was at Chippewa Lake Park. Why Chippewa Lake Park in Wayne County? Was it because of the ample picnic grounds? Was it because it offered swimming? Was it because it had a bunch of amusement rides? No. It was because of Hank Clark. Who? Hank Clark. He was the manager of Chippewa Lake Park and he offered the CIAS a sum of money (some say as much as $1,500, but the amount varies) to bring the Italian Festival there. It was a business decision, and it was one that worked out well for many years for both parties. Actually, the premise didn't change much. It was still a picnic atmosphere, only it was a very large picnic.

The CIAS saw the response and was encouraged. It began to promote the Italian Festival vigorously. There were no radio spots, or faxed press releases, or banners hung to call attention to the Italian Festival as it's done today, but several Festival committee people would venture onto the streets of the Akron area and even Cleveland, especially in the Murray Hill section, and nail flyers onto telephone poles with information about the upcoming event.

The CIAS also introduced vendors to the Italian Festival, and the vendors were...the CIAS. The Ladies Auxiliaries would prepare a variety of Italian fare, from pastas to pizza fritta. Several years later, the vendors were joined by trucks that would dispense a particular kind of beverage, and it wasn't milk (although the trucks did deliver that stuff until they were converted for their new purpose). It was a cold beverage, amber in color, and it formed a foamy white head at the brim of the glass. Both the food and that mysterious beverage are still around at this year's Festival, pardon the understatement.

A Favorite Son

The Italian Festival at Chippewa Lake was an unqualified success. No longer was it a glorified society picnic. Throughout the 1960's the Italian Festival's attendance grew, and it was quickly embraced by the Italian community as one of its local traditions on a level with the Columbus Day celebrations.

Despite its growth, the emphasis on all things Italian remained. The events were just a little more organized, from bocci tournaments to society morre' teams going at it throughout Chippewa Lake Park.

And always, heard over the din of even the bocci and morre' contestants, was the music. The aggregate of musicians who assembled for the society picnics was basically gone. But there were musicians who would gather and stroll through the park providing that special flavor of music so unique to the Italian culture, with its horns, mandolins, accordion and woodwinds. Every once in a while the music would compel some Festival-goers to burst into song or begin dancing to whatever type of music was offered.

Then, in 1965, it was suggested that some musicians be hired to provide some entertainment; professional groups that would be scheduled at different intervals during the day at a designated site. The Italian Quartet led by Guy D'Orio and The Sam Merendino Band provided the music that day. Since then, there are several groups who are synonymous with their yearly appearances at the Festival: Eddie Paolucci and the Leftovers, Tony Fanizzi and the Good Sounds, Russ Musarra and the Music Makers, Bill Smith's Music Men, The Leonard Buzzelli Band. All excellent, all with their own styles. Yet, there was one group that is generally regarded as the one that heightened the stature of the Italian Festival: Phil Palumbo and Company.

Phil Palumbo was recognized as one of Akron's best musicians at the tender age of 16, when he was already playing professionally. Later, he studied at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and played saxophone in Henry Busse's Big Band. He returned to Akron to form his own group, Phil Palumbo & Pals, and throughout the 1960's they played nightly at Nino's Lounge on North Main Street, just around the corner from where he grew up on Butler Avenue, and later at the entertainment venue in Akron, Tangier Restaurant. At the height of his popularity, he decided to move to Las Vegas to join a top music and comedy act called The Characters. After five years in Las Vegas, Palumbo returned home and formed another group, Phil Palumbo and Company. He soon opened his own supper club and he again ruled the Akron area music scene.

Phil Palumbo & Company, which included vocalist Pete Nardella, drummer Mickey Eritano, keyboardist Bobby Dunbar and, later, vocalist Joan Ashley, guaranteed a large draw on that first Sunday evening in 1972, and it stayed that way for years. As Akron Beacon Journal columnist Abe Zaidan once wrote: "It's not an Italian Festival without Phil Palumbo."

The Moves

As the Italian Festival continued to draw impressive crowds, the facility it used was becoming less than impressive. Chippewa Lake Park was beginning to show its age at the start of the 1970's, and its decline forced the hand of the CIAS to do something about finding a suitable and comparable alternative. After
investigating several possibilities, it was decided to move the 1976 Italian Festival to a new home: Meyers Lake in Canton. That lasted all of one year, since Meyers Lake suffered the same sins as Chippewa Lake...long past its prime, it was in sorry shape and on the verge of shutting down. The CIAS scrambled to find a site for the following year, and they found one in their own backyard. It was Fallon's Playland Park on Massillon Road in Springfield Township.

The first Festival at Playland Park was 1977. It offered much of the same advantages of Chippewa Lake and Meyer's Lake: picnic area, including a pavilion packed with picnic tables, amusement rides and plenty of space. The newest change didn't appear to hinder attendance. On the contrary, the proximity of the park to Akron seemed to encourage more participation. The rhythms of the Festival didn't change, either. There was still the atmosphere, the food, the music, kids running from one ride to another, the laughter. The only thing that changed was the address.

More music was added to the roster at Playland Park, including some rock groups in the area such as Dogs & Kids and a group headed by drummer Sam Merendino, Jr. The stage was set up in the back reaches of Playland Park. The backdrop was a sandstone wall that served as a natural amphitheater for the musicians. If there was one disadvantage to the setting, at least to this observer, it was that it was situated adjacent to a murky pond that not only emanated a pungent aroma if the wind was right, but served as a breeding ground for mosquitoes of pre-historic dimensions which would bombard the crowd around dusk. At day's end, that same area would be a prime location for the fireworks display that brought the Festivals to a close, mosquitoes notwithstanding.

On the Road Again

In time, mosquitoes were the least of the CIAS concerns. After 10 years, it was becoming obvious that the problems which plagued Chippewa Lake and Meyers Lake were challenging Playland Park's acceptability as the site of the Festival. But Playland Park solved the problem for the CIAS. It went out of
business, which created another problem, of course---where would the 1986 Italian Festival be held? Committee members Ralph Cicione and Renato Ciccolini came up with the answer: Riverfront Centre Mall in Cuyahoga Falls. It was an inspired choice. It's accessibility by highway and its logistics made it an outstanding setting. It was also decided to try something new by making the 1986 Italian Festival a two-day affair. It worked. Riverfront Centre Mall is bi-leveled, which actually gave attendees two midways to travel. The crowds on Saturday and Sunday swelled to new proportions. It was such a success it was decided, well, if it worked this well for two days, why not three?

And so, in 1987, the Italian Festival went to three days, and that is how it has been for the last 10 years. But that doesn't mean every Festival since met the same success.

Whoops!

Without going into the gory details, the Italian Festival left Riverfront Centre Mall in 1992 by mutual agreement between the CIAS and the City of Cuyahoga Falls.

Where to now? The choice was the Summit County Fairgrounds in Tallmadge. Let's face it, there simply aren't many places in Summit County that can accommodate the large crowds that attend the Italian Festival every year, and the Fairgrounds certainly had enough acreage. In fact, that might have been to its detriment---it was too big.

We are an expressive and passionate people. We relish the "closeness" of a crowd. At Riverfront Centre Mall, it was not uncommon to stand in one place for an hour and be able to meet and greet a host of people. And those greetings normally entailed a hug or a handshake or a kiss or some demonstration of
friendship or affection. That's just the way we are.

The Summit County Fairgrounds didn't afford us that opportunity enough. While the crowds were just as large, they were spread out. An important element of the Italian Festival, that closeness, was diminished at the Fairgrounds. Some of the atmosphere was lost when you had to yell out a greeting and produce an exaggerated wave so a friend you spotted over there by the horse stable could see you.

Another aspect found wanting by Festival-goers was the lion's share of the entertainment was located in the large arena. The main tent was gone. It had more of a feel that you were attending a concert. You were separated from the Festival going on outside.

It was a problem, no doubt, but the CIAS and the Festival Committee were hamstrung. What could they do? There were precious few locations that could handle the crush of people who attended the Festival and they were reticent to go outside of Summit County.

A Move to the Centre

They didn't have to. Again, without going into the details, the 1996 Italian Festival would return to the Riverfront Centre Mall by mutual agreement between the CIAS and the City of Cuyahoga Falls.

Who said you can't go home again? The 1996 Italian Festival is regarded as the most successful Festival in many years. Its Friday opening night crowd was likely the largest in the history of the event. Of course, the beneficiaries of this and every Italian Festival are the various charities in the area who receive monies donated by the CIAS from receipts from the Festivals and scholarships are also awarded. The charitable donations are, perhaps, the best tradition of all.

Christmas in July

From those simple days at Roma Park when a couple hundred people, mostly family members, gathered to celebrate their patron saint, a tradition was born; one that is now enjoyed by thousands of people of just about every ethnic group in the Akron area. We Italians gladly share our rich heritage with anyone who would like to experience it, even for a weekend.

But for many of us who grew up with this Festival, each year gives us a feeling of renewal. It allows us to revive memories of growing up. The Festival is a benchmark in our childhood. It also allows us to recall the people who introduced us to this Festival...our parents and grandparents. And we can do this without being mawkish. On the contrary, it allows us to celebrate what it means to be a part of the Italian community.

It's a feeling that we carry with us year-round, not just on the second Sunday in July. But the Italian Festival allows us to revel in it, and it is something that is anticipated with heightened enthusiasm each year. It is our Summer Christmas, and our gift is something our parents and grandparents gave all of
us---pride in our heritage.

FINI

Acknowledgments: This would have been an inconceivable undertaking without the invaluable contributions of the people on this list, and I am so grateful to all of them: Cosmo Alexander, Jenny and Joseph Barbuto, Don Caprio, Ralph Cicione, Irene and Pete Cistone, Loretta D'Avello, Antoinette Didato,
Leonard Falcone, Emma and Phil Palumbo, Ron Tedeschi, Hilda Ursetti (thanks, Mom) and a special thanks to Mary Sgro for her kindness and her incredible memory, and to her husband, Joe Sgro, for putting up with the phone calls.

These photos show the construction of the Gorge Dam in 1912. The last picture probably wasn't until the following year. It is unknown at this time what company did the work and if any local people were employed on the project. Any additional information would be appreciated.

This photo, possibly from the 1930's, shows the area around Riverside Dr., Clifton, Magnolia, and Linden. The two original bridges going into Cuyahoga Falls are visible along with the dam and the old amusement park that sat on the Cuyahoga Falls side of the river. The baseball diamond that is between Clifton and Linden was known as Brodbeck Field. It was named for the Brodbeck family that used to live in the old house that sat out in front of Jackson Elementary School. The Brodbeck family owned all the land from Cuyahoga Falls Ave. back to Riverside Dr. and from Linden to down to the bridges. Mr. Brodbeck was the one who originally laid out this subdivision know as the Riverside Park Allotment. Any stories dealing with this area would be greatly appreciated.