Italian American of the Year honored at Undo’s Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival Kickoff Dinner

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio (WTRF) – It’s an event that is so highly anticipated that from the day it ends, they begin preparing for the next one.

The 41 ^st Annual Undo’s Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival begins this weekend, and the months of planning and preparation were celebrated at their kickoff dinner at Undo’s West.

This year’s Italian American of the Year is Rita Carapellotti.

She and her family have worked to build up Franciscan Square in Steubenville.

”She and the whole Carapellotti family, you know, the reason I salute the whole Carapellotti family and not just her, our Italian heritage… It’s taught us that we don’t function alone. We function with our family. So, I’m sure Rita has spoken of her Carapellotti family and how much they have aided her and helped her gain this honor.”

Tony Filberto – Chairperson, Undo’s Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival

”I’m just looking forward to celebrating the heritage. I’m so proud to be Italian and I’m so proud that we have this wonderful festival to celebrate our heritage. And I hope that a lot of people come down and enjoy the festivities.”

Rita Carapellotti – Italian American of the Year 2024*

The Undo’s Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival is this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Wheeling’s Heritage Port.

Following the 40-year tradition the event will include a veterans’ ceremony, Sunday mass, and a spread of delicious food.

This year, you’ll want to stick around after mass because everyone is invited to a traditional Italian meal catered to by Undo’s.

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