A celebration for Dean Martin and Steubenville

STEUBENVILLE --Temperatures peaked near the mid 90s Saturday afternoon but the heat didn't slow down visitors to downtown STeubenville for the annual Hometown Celebration or the final day of the Dean Martin 100th birthday celebration.

The activities kicked off at noon with Deana Martin leading the birthday parade through the city's business district.

She then proceeded to the Visitors Center at the Historic Fort Steuben Park where she posed for photos and signed a number of items for the fans who were lined up out the door waiting for their chance to chat with the daughter of Dean Martin.

Martin unveiled a gold star at the Visitors Center to honor her late father during his 100th birthday celebration.

Martin and other family members attended a 9 a.m. Mass today at Holy Family Catholic Church to remember her father.

And while the fans were excited to greet the daughter of Dean Martin they were also asking about the future of the Dean Martin Festival.

Dean Martin Festival Chairwoman Rose Angelica said this will be her final festival after 21 straight years.

"I came last year and returned this year. I have a great time in Steubenville and I ran in the Dino Dash 5K race both years. I hope this festival continues," said Dave Rozo of Cincinnati.

"Our heroes are dying off. We need to remember the people who we grew up with," added his wife Karen Rozo.

Meanwhile the Historic Fort Steuben Park was filled with food vendors, baby goats who enjoyed their hay and an occasional rub from a passerby and the miniature train ride ran by Jeff Skidmore of C & J Pony Rides of East Liverpool.

"Everyone buckle up and stay in the car until I exit the locomotive so we all remain safe. Everyone will get their chance to ride the train," Skidmore told his passengers and a line of people waiting patiently for their turn.

The Hometown Celebration also included a number of local vendors who offered Lemonade drinks, specialized popcorn, Mexican foods and other treats.

And by the evening hours South Third Street in front of the City Hall was converted into a dance pavillion under the direction of Therese Nelson.

"We had a dance last year and brought it back because so many people enjoyed it," she said.

Her father, Mark Nelson, said he met visitors from across the United States and from Australia, Austria, Canada and Denmark.

"They come here for everything. In this one week we offer them the tastes and sounds of Greece, the Dean Martin Festival and our Hometown Celebration. It is worth all of the work everyone does to put all of this together because it gives all of our visitors a very positive impression of Steubenville," remarked Mark Nelson.

"People are happy to visit our community and they comment on the friendliness they have found here. I personally hope the Dean Martin Festival continues even though Rose Angelica has said she is stepping down after this year. We may go through a transition but I think it is important to celebrate a famous son of the city," Mark Nelson observed.

"We just came back from a visit to Austria where we saw the birthplace of Mozart and visited the cemetery where Beethoven, Brahms and Schubert are buried. That is an example of how a community remembers and celebrates their acclaimed musicians. We should do no less," said Mark Nelson.

"Yes, it feels like 120 degrees today but look around. Everyone is having so much fun. This is a true family event with something for everyone," commented Gretchen Nelson.

The Dean Martin Festival moved to Steubenville High School where several local entertains took to the auditorium stage before Elvis Jr., Dean Martin impersonator Russ Loniello and finally Deana Martin appeared.

The Dean Martin 100th birthday celebration concluded Saturday night at the Spot Bar.

Mark Nelson said organizers will take a brief rest and then begin discussing plans for next year's Hometown Celebration.

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