“Everybody loves somebody sometime…” sang crooner Dean Martin, and his hometown of Steubenville would love you to come celebrate him at the annual Dean Martin Hometown Festival, June 12-14.
The entire community comes together every year to offer music, activities, tours, and memorable moments that highlight the impact of Martin’s career. And this year will be bigger and better than ever as with the Dean Martin Association heading the planning and promotion and working with the local Harmonium Project.”
The three-day event kicks off on Thursday with a 7pm concert featuring the Vince Villanova Big Band and a Rat Pack Tribute Show in the Berkman Amphitheater located in Fort Steuben Park, overlooking the Ohio River. Later that evening, the iconic Spot Bar will have its annual Dean Martin Karaoke Contest with prizes and lots of good-humored fun.
“For over twenty years, visitors from all over the country have come to give their rendition of Dean Martin favorites,” explained Spot Bar owner Joe DiAlbert. “They never get tired of singing those great classics.”
Friday activities include the First Annual Dean Martin Charity Golf Scramble at 8:30am at the Steubenville Country Club. Patrons are welcome to observe the Scramble for a donation of $25 per person. An Open House and Tour of the Dean Martin Room of the Jefferson County Historical Museum will be held from 10-3, with a special presentation by Keith Johnson at 12 noon on “Memories of Dino: A Virtual Walk Through Steubenville.” Stroll through the Street Festival with music, food crafts, and fun on N. 4th Street from noon to 10pm. You can show your fancy footwork at the 50’s Street Dance on N. 4th Street from 1-3pm or indulge in the Dean Martin Meatball Eating Contest at the Spot Bar at 1pm with performances by Dave Solera and Bob Morelli.
Reminisce with the music and autos of the era at the Dean Martin Classic Car Cruise-In from 2-8pm in Fort Steuben Park, with a minimum of $1000 given to a lucky cruiser for participation. Then head to Undo’s in nearby Weirton for a dynamic dinner show with Joe Scalissi as he sings Dean Martin classics (cocktails at 3pm, dinner at 3:30, show at 5). Conclude the day with Tom Stevens as Dean Martin & friends at the Spot Bar at 8pm.
The festivities continue on Saturday with the morning Dino Dash 5K Run/Walk in Historic Beatty Park leading up to the Dean Martin Hometown Celebration Parade on 4th Street. The Street Festival continues from 1pm to 10pm while the Jefferson County Historical Museum welcomes visitors until 3pm. Historic Fort Steuben is open for tours (discounted fees) and the Steubenville Trolley transports passengers through the downtown.
A new event that recalls the Jerry Lewis telethons that ran for thirty years will be held at the green space at Franciscan Square on University Blvd. The Martin & Lewis Telethon Style Reunion Show will feature Joe Scalissi and Matt Macis as hosts to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, from 2pm to 7pm. The action moves back to the Spot Bar for the Dean Martin Memorabilia Auction from 7-8pm with proceeds going to the Dean Martin Bronze Statue fund. The grand finale – Joe Scalissi Sings Dean Martin – at the Spot Bar at 8pm captures the essence of the “King of Cool”: Dino Paul Crocetti, the boy from Steubenville who went on to sing and star in movies, television, and nightclubs for over forty years.
For more information go to www.DeanMartinAssociation.com/festival