Italian food, cattle and trains – there's something for everyone this Labor Day weekend

The unofficial last weekend of summer is upon us, and whether you’re an outdoorsy person, a foodie, or a train buff, there’s plenty to do.

The Italian Festival

Scranton’s annual celebration of Italian cuisine and culture begins Friday, August 30 and ends Monday, September 2. Hours are Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Monday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday’s festivities begin at 10 a.m. with the 11th annual Captain James R. Minicozzi Memorial 5K and 1-mile fun run. The race is sponsored by the Scranton chapter of UNICO, the Italian-American relief organization that serves porketta sandwiches each year.

Peter Cognetti makes a porketta sandwich at La Festa Italiana. Because there is always a line of customers, they only offer sandwiches prepared one way.

“We have a line all the time,” says Jim Sagona, UNICO’s CEO. “We can’t make the sandwiches fast enough.”

The very first La Festa Italiana was held in 1976. Sagona says the group prepared 60 pounds of porketta that year.

“They were afraid of not selling as much,” he said. “This year we’re making 2,000 kilograms.”

About 100 volunteers will work in 200 shifts and plan to serve more than 10,000 sandwiches over the weekend.

The annual Mass in Italian is held on Sunday at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Cathedral on Wyoming Ave.

Sunday’s entertainment includes a tribute show honoring Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, followed by a fireworks display. Dozens of artists will perform on two stages throughout the weekend.

New vendors this year include Lynn Sandy’s Bakery and Chef Von & Mom.

Rail festival

Also in Scranton, Rail festival From Friday to Sunday, Steamtown National Historic Site will host an event that focuses on all things railroad with train rides, guided tours, and live entertainment.

Passengers — At an earlier Railfest, passengers board for a train ride.

Most events take place between 9am and 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, and COLTS buses offer free trips between Railfest and La Festa approximately every half hour between 10am and 6pm on both days.

This year’s Railfest will focus on Nickel Plate Road No. 759, which was built 80 years ago this month. Railroad and photography enthusiasts are invited to an event called “Nickel Plate Power & Prestige” on Friday and Saturday evenings, where they can take photos of the steam, diesel and passenger equipment of the Nickel Plate Railroad. Tickets cost $30.

Short train rides to the Radisson and tours of the historic Lackawanna Station are offered on Saturdays only. Tickets must be reserved in advance.

Big Boy Cab tours are scheduled on Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon and from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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The focus of this year’s Railfest is Nickel Plate Road No. 759, which was built 80 years ago this month.

National Park Service

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Demonstrations on track maintenance will be given at the Railfest 2024.

National Park Service

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The National Museum of Industrial History will set up an exhibition at Railfest.

National Park Service

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Delaware Lackawanna’s Lehigh Valley 414 and Steamtown’s Lehigh Valley 353 commercial car will be on display at Railfest 2024.

National Park Service

Wyoming County Fair

The Wyoming County Fair runs through September 2. Country singer Ian Munisk will perform on Saturday, August 31. Entertainment includes a children’s Power Wheel demo derby, an exciting circus show, Extreme Raptors and a cornhole tournament.

Exhibits include farm animal exhibits, a petting zoo, blacksmithing demonstrations, sumo robots, a 4-H animal dress-up contest and much more.

Labor Day is the fair’s last day, and seniors 60 and older get in free. On Monday, organizers host the Baby Show, a competition in which children up to four years old are judged on “health and appearance.” Other competitions include tractor and truck pulling, baking homemade chocolate cake, archery and more.

The fair was founded in 1857 to promote agriculture in the district. — The fair was started in 1857 to promote the county’s agriculture and celebrates the local 4H with a livestock sale and various exhibitions.

Other events

In This Together NEPA’s third annual NEPA-QUE: Labor Day Celebration of Unions & Workers will be held Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre.
The Sunday GIANT Flea Fair, “the largest flea market and farmers market in NEPA,” is held every Sunday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Circle Drive-In in Dickson City.
The Mental Health Purse Bingo at the Clarks Summit Fire Company event raises funds and awareness for the Lake Foundation, a new nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing mental health resources and education in NEPA.
The End of Summer Luau pop-up bar with tropical drinks and ambiance is open Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Loft Wine Bar & Events on Lackawanna Ave. in Scranton.
Stroudfest – The 15th annual Labor Day Festival will be hosted by the Sherman Theater on Saturday, August 31st from 11am to 6pm. Vendors will line the sidewalks of Main Street in Stroudsburg and live music will be played on several stages throughout the day.