Steubenville busy with festival activity

STEUBENVILLE --The 100 block of North Fourth Street was busy Saturday as locals and visitors came to the city for the Hometown Celebration and the Dean Martin Festival.

One of the attractions was the Dean Martin Traveling Museum brought in by Jim Monaco of Cliffwood Beach, N.J., to the former Chase Bank lobby.

A life-size statue of Martin greeted visitors to the display. Monaco said he was at a mall in Freehold, N.J., and saw the statue, one of three of the famous Rat Pack. Monaco said he didn't want to buy the Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. statues, so he made an offer on the Martin statue.

"You should have seen me and my son carrying it through the mall," he said.

Monaco began collecting Martin memorabilia 55 years ago at age 13. He said he was a big fan of Martin and Jerry Lewis. He liked Lewis because of all the crazy stuff he did, but soon realized Martin was a "ladiess man." He soon purchased Martin's records and fell in love with his music.

He has previously been at the Dean Martin Festival with his traveling museum but hasn't been back in years. He said heard news about this year's festival and was asked by city Mayor Jerry Barilla to come back.

Among the items on display were the pants Martin wore in the movie "Rio Bravo." He also has an original script of the movie and an Italian poster promoting the film.

He also has a hand-painted poster made in Mexico promoting the movie, "Who's Got the Action." The poster is about 12 feet wide.

Monaco displayed the personal chaps Martin wore on his ranch.

One of his most prized possessions is a gold record issued to Martin for his album, "Dean Martin's Greatest Hits Volume II."

Monaco said he videotaped his collection, including about 600 pictures of Martin, his wife Jeanne and their children, and sent it to Jeanne Martin. He also made copies of the Martin family pictures and sent it to Jeanne. He said Jeanne told him she never saw some of the family pictures, and she cried and laughed when she saw them,

Monaco said Jeanne Martin offered him money for making the copies and he said he refused any compensation.

"I told her this was my way of thanking Dean for making me and others happy," he said.

He received a package in the mail shortly after and it was the gold record.

"I went wild when I saw it," he said.

Today is a special day for Jim and his wife, Debbie. It is their 46th wedding anniversary.

Visitors to the Hometown Celebration also were entertained by musical groups, including Russ Loniello of Madison, Wisc., a Dean Martin impersonator who performed on stage. Kids of all ages were able to take rides on a minitrain around the festival. There was a petting zoo, face painting for the kids and a selection of food and drink vendors.

John and Robin Crosby Sr. of Steubenville found the festival by accident. They came downtown to visit Leonardo's Coffeehouse on Fourth Street and saw the festival. They and their three kids then spent time wondering around.

"These are all free," he said of the activities. "This is terrific."

Michael and Deborah Venditti of Murrysville, Pa., outside Pittsburgh, drove down with their adult children and spouses.

"We are here with the entire family celebrating an early Father's Day," said Deborah Venditti, adding her husband is a big Dean Martin fan. "Even our adult children appreciate Dean Martin's music.

They were going to travel back to Bloomfield for a cookout and listen to vinyl Dean Martin records.

Deborah Venditti said the festival Saturday "was great family fun."

Barilla said the Hometown Celebration on Fourth Street was new this year, with the street being closed down.

"With the opening of businesses on Fourth Street, it was beneficial to have it here. I'm elated about people being excited about coming to downtown Steubenville. It is the start of things to come. People are happy and excited about Steubenville coming back, and having a fun day in downtown Steubenville. I am humbled to see the community support," the mayor said.

Barilla said next year's event may extend to another block of Fourth Street in front of the Grand Theater. He also hopes to have a parade.