OLD FORGE---A popular festival in Lackawanna County kicked off Friday night.
The annual Felittese Festival started at 5 p.m. in Old Forge.
Last year the Felittese Association celebrated 25 years since the festival was resurrected.
Organizers told Newswatch 16 that the festival came to a halt when World War 2 started.
Friday morning volunteers were busy in the kitchen, preparing for a festival that they have been planning for several months.
"We start all our preparation as early as May, June, July and so on and continue all through this week," Bob Mariotti said.
Some of the ladies helping out were preparing the bread for the Italian dishes.
Two men, who many refer to as the "chefs", cooked up tripe and sofritto.
The two men couldn't share their secrets on the goodies, but did give some insight on what goes into the delicious foods.
"Skillful and tender preparation. Time aged recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation," Charlie Saleski said.
The festival will run through Sunday evening at the chapel grounds in Old Forge on Third Street.
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