Organizers plan for summer fests and fairs despite no updated guidelines

The Greater Youngstown Italian Fest is among the growing list of summer events in the Valley moving forward with plans that remain fluid.

"It may not look like the same fest, but we'll enjoy ourselves with the foods, the music, and the comforts of the Italian fest the last 35 years," Italian Fest Chairman John Rossetti said. 

The fate of the food, music and crowd all depends on the fate of the pandemic. 

"And it depends on the approval from the city of Youngstown, and the state of Ohio to have large gatherings," he said, "and we're hopeful that that will be lifted by August."

The YSU Festival of Arts also plans on moving forward in some capacity but has not ironed out details. 

As of now in Ohio, festivals, as we know them, are prohibited. However, on Tuesday, the Ohio Department of Health told 21 News:

"Conversations with key stakeholders in the fair industry have begun in order to develop protocols to ensure fairs can both safely and successfully occur in 2021. Similar info for festivals is also forthcoming."

Infection Disease Physician Dr. Banks predicts there's a chance these events can go on in August if masks are worn, but she's still hesitant. 

"What I could possibly see is continuing the public health mitigation things that we've been doing in that venue and wearing a mask," Banks said, "But if you were to ask me what I think that opening up a fair or large festival would be prudent in August, I would have to say I would hesitate to do that."