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Do IT this week: Layering
By Betty Lin-Fisher
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 06:30 p.m. EDT, Jul 12, 2009
Think tossing a pizza into the air is tough?
What about spinning a pizza in the air and in between your legs while you're on your back?
To Michael Shepherd, it's just another day's work.
Shepherd, a four-time world pizza acrobat champion, was on hand at the 62nd Annual Summit County Italian-American Festival in downtown Akron this weekend. He is owner/president of Michael Angelo's Pizza Inc. in Kenton and Rushsylvania, Ohio.
A visit by the Budweiser Clydesdale horses drew a big crowd Sunday afternoon. The majestic horses marched down Main Street with Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic riding on top of the wagon with a Dalmatian.
It was the first time the three-day festival, which ended Sunday, was held in downtown Akron. The event moved from Cuyahoga Falls to take advantage of additional space and more parking, event coordinators said.
Cuyahoga Falls will have its own Italian celebration, Festa Italiana, July 24 to 26 at Falls River Square.
The annual bash in Akron over the weekend was sponsored by the city and the Council of Italian-American Societies of Summit County, a group that has celebrated its shared heritage every July.
The festival ''exceeded our expectations,'' said Don Ferrante, festival co-chairman. Friday night's music at Lock 3 drew an overflow crowd.
The event featured more than 80 vendors, which was more than previous years, he said.
John Villilo, festival entertainment chairman, said the festival overall was well-attended and was getting good reviews from visitors, vendors and entertainers.
''I think it'll be the first of many,'' he said.
Plusquellic said he was receiving many compliments about the festival. One vendor told Plusquellic he'd done better in the first night in sales than the whole festival in previous years.
Plusquellic said he was pleased the event, which had free admission, was good, low-cost entertainment for residents.
City officials have made a conscious decision to continue low-cost or free entertainment in the city, especially during these tough economic times, Plusquellic said.
The Italian-American Festival raises money from vendors' booth fees, beer sales and corporate sponsors to award scholarships to high school seniors and college students, Ferrante said.
Saturday morning, 11 scholarships for $3,000 each were given to area students with funds raised from last year's festival, he said.
The festival was the first ethnic festival held in downtown Akron in about 20 years, Plusquellic said. Based on the good experience, Plusquellic said, he'd like to see some type of international festival to highlight the many ethnic backgrounds of residents in the Akron area.
Pizza champ Shepherd, who has been featured on the Food Network, gave two crowd-pleasing demonstrations Sunday, tossing pizza dough circles in the air and rolling them along his shoulders and back.
''It's pretty strenuous,'' Shepherd said after one performance. ''You're constantly spinning. It's the equivalent of running as fast as you can for five minutes. When you're done, you're sweating.''
In between Shepherd's shows, 25 people fought for the title of pizza-eating champion.
Dan Braden of Tallmadge and Joe Sokol of Akron each ate their way to win heats before facing off for the championship. The two scarfed down 9-inch round pizzas by Rocco's Pizza — the equivalent of a small pizza — with some water.
Braden won the title in the competition, which was emceed by local speed-eating celebrity Dave ''Coondog'' O'Karma.
Braden said he has always wanted to enter an eating contest.
''I'm a big eater,'' he said.
Asked how his stomach was feeling after eating two pizzas (he asked for a third to take home), Braden said: ''I always have a 15-minute threshold for whatever I eat. I'll feel it in about five minutes.''
Sokol, who easily won his first heat, said he used to win eating contests in college, but that was back in 1981. He did win a pie-eating contest two years ago, he said.
By winning the pizza-eating contest, Braden qualified to enter the hamburger-eating contest at the Hamburger Festival to be held next weekend in downtown Akron, O'Karma said.
Asked why he wasn't in the pizza-eating competition himself, O'Karma said it wouldn't be fair. ''I always win,'' he said.
O'Karma said Braden ''seems to be a natural.''
And, of course, there was lots of food at the festival: Italian sausage, Italian ice, meatball subs, macaroons and even fried Oreos.
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at
330-996-3724 or blinfisher@
thebeaconjournal.com.
Think tossing a pizza into the air is tough?
What about spinning a pizza in the air and in between your legs while you're on your back?
To Michael Shepherd, it's just another day's work.
Shepherd, a four-time world pizza acrobat champion, was on hand at the 62nd Annual Summit County Italian-American Festival in downtown Akron this weekend. He is owner/president of Michael Angelo's Pizza Inc. in Kenton and Rushsylvania, Ohio.
A visit by the Budweiser Clydesdale horses drew a big crowd Sunday afternoon. The majestic horses marched down Main Street with Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic riding on top of the wagon with a Dalmatian.
It was the first time the three-day festival, which ended Sunday, was held in downtown Akron. The event moved from Cuyahoga Falls to take advantage of additional space and more parking, event coordinators said.
Cuyahoga Falls will have its own Italian celebration, Festa Italiana, July 24 to 26 at Falls River Square.
The annual bash in Akron over the weekend was sponsored by the city and the Council of Italian-American Societies of Summit County, a group that has celebrated its shared heritage every July.
The festival ''exceeded our expectations,'' said Don Ferrante, festival co-chairman. Friday night's music at Lock 3 drew an overflow crowd.
The event featured more than 80 vendors, which was more than previous years, he said.
John Villilo, festival entertainment chairman, said the festival overall was well-attended and was getting good reviews from visitors, vendors and entertainers.
''I think it'll be the first of many,'' he said.
Plusquellic said he was receiving many compliments about the festival. One vendor told Plusquellic he'd done better in the first night in sales than the whole festival in previous years.
Plusquellic said he was pleased the event, which had free admission, was good, low-cost entertainment for residents.
City officials have made a conscious decision to continue low-cost or free entertainment in the city, especially during these tough economic times, Plusquellic said.
The Italian-American Festival raises money from vendors' booth fees, beer sales and corporate sponsors to award scholarships to high school seniors and college students, Ferrante said.
Saturday morning, 11 scholarships for $3,000 each were given to area students with funds raised from last year's festival, he said.
The festival was the first ethnic festival held in downtown Akron in about 20 years, Plusquellic said. Based on the good experience, Plusquellic said, he'd like to see some type of international festival to highlight the many ethnic backgrounds of residents in the Akron area.
Pizza champ Shepherd, who has been featured on the Food Network, gave two crowd-pleasing demonstrations Sunday, tossing pizza dough circles in the air and rolling them along his shoulders and back.
''It's pretty strenuous,'' Shepherd said after one performance. ''You're constantly spinning. It's the equivalent of running as fast as you can for five minutes. When you're done, you're sweating.''
In between Shepherd's shows, 25 people fought for the title of pizza-eating champion.
Dan Braden of Tallmadge and Joe Sokol of Akron each ate their way to win heats before facing off for the championship. The two scarfed down 9-inch round pizzas by Rocco's Pizza — the equivalent of a small pizza — with some water.
Braden won the title in the competition, which was emceed by local speed-eating celebrity Dave ''Coondog'' O'Karma.
Braden said he has always wanted to enter an eating contest.
''I'm a big eater,'' he said.
Asked how his stomach was feeling after eating two pizzas (he asked for a third to take home), Braden said: ''I always have a 15-minute threshold for whatever I eat. I'll feel it in about five minutes.''
Sokol, who easily won his first heat, said he used to win eating contests in college, but that was back in 1981. He did win a pie-eating contest two years ago, he said.
By winning the pizza-eating contest, Braden qualified to enter the hamburger-eating contest at the Hamburger Festival to be held next weekend in downtown Akron, O'Karma said.
Asked why he wasn't in the pizza-eating competition himself, O'Karma said it wouldn't be fair. ''I always win,'' he said.
O'Karma said Braden ''seems to be a natural.''
And, of course, there was lots of food at the festival: Italian sausage, Italian ice, meatball subs, macaroons and even fried Oreos.
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at
330-996-3724 or blinfisher@
thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Posted 08:06 PM, 07/12/2009
what a great event.no troublea all so all the haters glad you stayed home it was a little crowded
Posted 08:06 PM, 07/12/2009
trouble at all
Akron, OH
Posted 11:26 PM, 07/12/2009
Was that Plusquellic's daughter walking around with him Saturday night?
Barberton, oh
Posted 02:04 AM, 07/13/2009
I went on Friday night and was pleasantly surprised by how much fun it was! I got to hear some good music and people watch for the price of a cannoli! I think this might be one of the cheapest nights out I have had in a long time! It was crowded but well organized. I wish they would bring the Irish Festival here as well!
akron , oh
Posted 06:31 AM, 07/13/2009
I attended as well on saturday and it was wonderful. no rifraff, or drama, well maintained and attended. and yes I tried the fried oreos,mmmmmm they were good,
akron, oh
Posted 07:06 AM, 07/13/2009
I saw Jay Moore campaigning for Ward 10 Council, he is a good man.
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 07:40 AM, 07/13/2009
Dan Braden of Tallmadge - You the Man! Congrats on your win.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:22 AM, 07/13/2009
I was there yesterday (Sunday) and what a beautiful day for such an event!! I had forgotten all about it and had to stop and take a break from my bike ride. The lil bands were great the crowd was great jsut a all out great event. What's and When's the next fair/festival happening downtown??
Akron, OH
Posted 08:39 AM, 07/13/2009
I was there on Saturday. I was pleasantly surprised at how many people were there! This truly was a great event - no riff raff and orderly! What a great time!!
Akron, OH
Posted 08:48 AM, 07/13/2009
Very positive tone in the comments today. Bravo.
akron, oh
Posted 09:01 AM, 07/13/2009
we attended saturday evening...great time, wonderful fireworks show!
akron, oh
Posted 09:31 AM, 07/13/2009
IT WAS A GOOD TIME. MY WIFE & I WENT FRIDAY NIGHT AND LIKE BMHI SAID, NO PROBLEMS.
I HAVE NEVER, EVER SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE DOWNTOWN, NOT EVEN BACK TO WHEN THEY HAD CONCERTS AT CASCADE PLAZA AND 25 CENT BEERS!!!
IT WAS A GOOD TIME,BTW HOTEL CALIFORNIA WAS PRETTY GOOD ALSO(EAGLES COVER BAND)
Akron, OH
Posted 10:00 AM, 07/13/2009
I was there Sunday as well. A beautiful day, and the festival appeared to be quite a success.
There was only one moment when there was this boob on the Budweiser wagon actin' like he was impotent, but after that, it was a great day.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:18 AM, 07/13/2009
@TOJ-? Are you the self-appointed Deputy Mayor of the comment section? Why are you policing the comments? The comments were/are good-until you put in your 2 cents-same goes for me. Why don't you just comment on the articles as opposed to commenting (all the time) on other people's comments. Are you the 'Blog Nazi'?
Methron, OH
Posted 10:45 AM, 07/13/2009
The Italians and fire works were great especially from where i was standing! Hip-hip-a-kayy!!
akron, oh
Posted 10:51 AM, 07/13/2009
@RUNUTS: Read the article again. That wasn't his daughter, it was a dalmation (hahaha).
akron, oh
Posted 10:54 AM, 07/13/2009
Seriously, The ratpack tribute was very cool.
Posted 11:01 AM, 07/13/2009
Great Festival! I hope to see it in Akron again next year!
Akron, OH
Posted 11:12 AM, 07/13/2009
Socrates - why are you angry? TOJ is right, unlike many blog postings for Ohio.com articles, this one is overwhelmingly positive. Doesn't hurt to point out the facts every once in a while...
Akron, OH
Posted 11:17 AM, 07/13/2009
whodunit,
Socrates is just angry because I asked him to actually engage in specifics as opposed to tired rhetoric. Now, he has a raging ha*d-on for me.
akron, OH
Posted 11:21 AM, 07/13/2009
I think his handle is supposed to be in jest, for the original Socrates was a thinker.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:37 AM, 07/13/2009
Socrates,
So you work for Summit County, eh?
CFalls, OH
Posted 11:47 AM, 07/13/2009
Here is the answer to the number of Avatars in my avatar (Click
here for the original post) .
Don't worry, this is the only article I will post it in.
I do apologies for not being able to add more avatars to complete mine but quite a few of you have not posted in a while but it seem as soon as I created my avatar, I start seeing some of the old timers again.
I really wanted to include Lester but he seems to have dropped off the scene.
Oh well "We Be One"!
C Falls, Oh
Posted 11:52 AM, 07/13/2009
We went on Friday night and a good time was had by all. Yes, it was very crowded. Still going this weekend to c falls...gotta support the locals!
Posted 11:59 AM, 07/13/2009
"Blog Nazi?" Can I be the Blog Nazi?
Akron, OH
Posted 12:36 PM, 07/13/2009
Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved in this and other great events downtown. It's always wonderful to see Lock 3 and Main Street brimming with people having fun.
Hudson, Oh
Posted 01:20 PM, 07/13/2009
This is not a blog.
Norton, oh
Posted 01:26 PM, 07/13/2009
The fireworks were awesome from the parking deck near the Y where they were set off!!! Thanks!
Chicago, IL
Posted 01:50 PM, 07/13/2009
It's always a spendid event. Cuyahoga Falls has great perks.. Go figure
Chicago, IL
Posted 01:52 PM, 07/13/2009
Oops! I thought this was the Italian Festival that takes place in Cuyahoga Falls every year...
Mansfield, OH
Posted 02:40 PM, 07/13/2009
@ Bseriouss - it was the Italian Festival that takes place in CFO every year. Festival organizers felt Front Street limited it's success and became overcrowded, so they moved it this year. If you remember, they did the same thing years ago and moved it to Summit County Fairgrounds with terrible results. This is a good move, as CFO can still have their own "Festa" but the larger area in downtown Akron can accomodate this "traditional" festival.
akron, oh
Posted 03:42 PM, 07/13/2009
@weB1: I love that bit. You are good entertainment. Thanks
akron, oh
Posted 03:45 PM, 07/13/2009
I must say that I was surprised that it was as much fun as it was. I had a better time this year than ever. I love CFO, but Akron did it better. I was sure it would be a drag in downtown, but I was wrong.
akron, OH
Posted 04:05 PM, 07/13/2009
@weB1, thank you so much, I am honored that you included me.
Posted 04:12 PM, 07/13/2009
It was a great festival and congrats to everyone for all of the volunteers for their hard work to make it a sucess. Lets hope that the Festa Italia is also a sucess in a couple of weeks too. You can never have enough Italian pride celebrations in our area!
CFalls, OH
Posted 04:44 PM, 07/13/2009
Minna Wade
akron, OH
Posted 04:05 PM,
07/13/2009 @weB1, thank you so much, I am honored that you included me.
We may not all agree EVER, but we still seem to be like a family (that fights sometime).
Now that you have thanked me, I think I am going to get beat for my omissions which is mainly because I haven't seen them posting and like I posted earlier, as soon as I created the avatar, it's like they woke up and started to post again.
I immediately saw about five of them that I said within "Oh yeah, where have you been?"
akron, oh
Posted 05:48 PM, 07/13/2009
Soc and Jason have a thing going on, they need to kiss and make up.
Front Line, KC
Posted 06:41 AM, 07/14/2009
Why no reports in the beacon on the 3 muggings on Friday night? Is this another cover up by the mayor? I had a good time, and i am very happy that we were able to escape Akron without being accosted. With all the police there, it is no wonder somebody was killed up the street.
Germantown, MD
Posted 09:14 AM, 07/14/2009
This was the best Italian Festival!! The food was excellent, music was very good and the fireworks on Saturday were the best I have seen yet. Also, the location was great. There was plenty of parking and much nicer scenery. GREAT JOB!
Akron, Oh
Posted 01:59 PM, 07/14/2009
A good time was had by all, great turn out, great food and no complaints! I also went to the Akron Art Museum on Thursday and listened to the free Wanda Hunt concert, again, good turn out and good fun had by all. Even walked to the Lockview on Main St. then back to the car at night without incident... Now what will all the Akron haters have to say about that? It's a good community, but only the bad stuff makes headlines, get out there and be a part of Akron, with more of us on the streets, less of the bad element will be out there.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:39 PM, 07/14/2009
Props to weB1! Glad I made the cut! LOL!
It is truly nice to positive posts out here on ohio.com.
I wish I could have been there! I love Italian food!
Daggum!
:0)
