Rose Angelica, chairwoman of the Dean Martin Festival Committee, stands next to several of the items that will be featured at the Dean Martin silent auction planned from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the Inn at Franciscan Square on University Boulevard. Angelica said this will be her last Dean Martin Festival. — Dave Gossett

STEUBENVILLE — After a 21-year run promoting the Dean Martin Festival, Rose Angelica said Tuesday this will be her final event.

“I am retiring after this one. This is it. I want to focus on my own country singing career, so this will be a blowout this year. We are pulling out all the stops to make this festival the best one yet,” Angelica said during a press conference at the the Inn at Franciscan Square.

“It has been a long run, but we are losing more sponsors and the money isn’t out there any longer to support the festival,” added Angelica.

Angelica said the largest Dean Martin Festival was several years ago when former Notre Dame football Coach Lou Holtz and television personality Regis Philbin came to Steubenville.

“And, I have learned once a personality turns 100 years old, the attention starts to die off,” she said.

“So, we will spend all of our money on the scholarships for the high school students and call it quits after this year. I know Judy Bratten and Jerry Barilla of the Historic Fort Steuben have expressed an interest in continuing the festival in some way,” Angelica remarked.

“We certainly hope this continues in one way or another, but it is too early to say what we will do,” commented Bratten.

“It is hard to believe Dean Martin would have been 100 years old if he was still alive. We have been contacted by film crews from Hollywood, England and Canada who are interested in the life of Dean Martin, how he got started and how he became a star in Hollywood,” Angelica said during the press conference.

“And, we are expecting Dean Martin fans from across the country and around the world to be in Steubenville this weekend for the 100th birthday party. We started this festival following Dean Martin’s death in 1995, and it has grown every year,” she continued.

“Everything will start with the Dean Martin Tribute Show at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Berkman Amphitheater. If we have inclement weather we will move the show to the Steubenville High School auditorium. Our annual singing contest will take place at 9 p.m. Thursday at the Spot Bar,” related Angelica.

“On Friday, we will host a meet-and-greet and a silent auction from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Inn at Franciscan Square. The birthday party will continue at 8 p.m. Friday night with film clips and an auction at the Spot Bar,” said Angelica.

“The Dean Martin parade with Deana Martin serving as the grand marshal in downtown Steubenville is set for noon Saturday followed by a meet-and-greet from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Visitors Center. Then at 4 p.m. at Steubenville High School the 100th birthday show is set to take place. And, the Dean Martin Celebration will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Spot Bar featuring the Frank Gallo Band, Bob Morelli and Dave Salera,” continued Angelica.

The weekend will end with a Dean Martin family Mass at 9 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Steubenville.

“The committee has worked very hard and will continue to work hard throughout the weekend to make sure this birthday celebration is a success. I am looking forward to seeing a lot of old friends and making new friends again this year,” noted Angelica.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)