SINGING AT THE SPOT — Lifelong Dean Martin fan Louie Genzano won the singing contest at the Spot Bar Thursday night. He will be the opening act for Saturday’s Dean Martin show at 7 p.m. -- Amy Neeley

STEUBENVILLE — The Dean Martin Festival kicked off at the Spot Bar Thursday night with the annual singing contest, a highlight of the event each year.

“Tonight is the most fun,” Terri Blackburn said.

The contest was again hosted by actor Lou Martini Jr.

The rules stated that contestants must sing a Martin classic in order to win, and people of all ages and from all over competed in the popular event.

David Forrester of Hopedale and Joe Duran of Steubenville were the youngest singers to take the stage. Dubbed the millennials by Martini, the young Martin fans had members of the crowd tapping their toes.

Despite their youth — both are 21 — the men said they are Rat Pack fans.

“I really like (Frank) Sinatra,” Forrester said. “That was what I was planning to sing tonight, but then I found out it was Dean Martin songs. I will be ready next year.”

Duran said that thanks to his grandmother, he is very familiar with Martin’s work.

“My grandmother is 94 and she really got me into classic music,” he said. “Thanks to her, I have watched a ton of Martin and Lewis movies.”

Fan favorite Dino-Issac Molina came from Texas to compete.

“I sing this kind of music,” he said. “I sing wherever and whenever I can get a gig.”

He said this was his first time traveling to Steubenville.

“I had a friend who came before,” He said. “He told us about it and we looked into it and came up.”

Many contestants had the crowd’s support, but it was Louie Genzano of New York who stole the show and walked away with the coveted Saturday spot. He open the evening of tribute performances at 7 p.m.

Genzano said he is a lifelong Martin fan.

“Ever since I was a little boy,” He said. “The music, the movies, everything.”

Genzano said this was the second time he has traveled to the area to take part in the festival.

“People are so nice to me here,” he said.

In addition to the singing contest, the bar auctioned off Dean Martin memorabilia to raise money for the Steubenville High School Dean Martin scholarship.

The scholarship is given each year to a student in the performing arts program.

The festival continues today and Saturday at the 217 S. Fourth St. venue.. Tribute performers Bob Morelli, Dave Salerna and Chris Denem will appear when the music resumes at 7 p.m. today.

The festival will continue at 1 p.m. Saturday with the Frank Gallo Band. Also performing will be 8-year-old Romina Perri, who sings Martin songs in Italian. That will be followed at 7 p.m. with a Rat Pack tribute show.

Admission is $10 for the evening shows today and Saturday and free for the Saturday afternoon events.