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Although the Mayor's Breakfast kicks off the Festival and some events get under way earlier, the official opening is Friday evening on the main stage. Welcoming speeches by Foundation officers and local officials, introduction of the Host and Hostess and their family members along with any honors yet to be presented occupy a short period of time. The main feature of the opening ceremony is the plate auction. Every year the Foundation selects a subject and has a commemorative plate designed. The plates are serially numbered and plates 1 through 5 are auctioned to the highest bidder. The 2007 plate honored the 90th anniversary of the Dominic Greco Band. The Opening Ceremony this year was sponsored by Wallick Auction and Realty Company and the auction was conducted by Don Wallick. The Tuscarawas County Italian-American Festival Foundation,Inc. would like to thank Don for his continued support.
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Giovanna Rion opens the ceremony by singing the National Anthem.
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Mayor Homrighausen welcomes everyone to downtown Dover and the Festival.
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Kraig Rion, Foundation President, makes his opening remarks.
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During the opening ceremony, a special dedication was made. Ross "Skip" Rondinella, in addition to being a great family man, was loved and respected by his peers, was instrumental in getting the Heritage Tent started with the aid of his entire family. Before the 2006 Festival was over "Skip" was already making plans for the 2007 Festival. However, a greater plan was designed for "Skip" and his family had to carry on without him present. In honor of his dedication to his heritage and the Festival, with most of his family present, the Foundation dedicated the Heritage Tent to him. It shall always be known as the "Skip" Rondinella Memorial Heritage Tent.
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The Host and Hostess, Jim and Zetta Blickensderfer, were introduced. They were joined by their family, Alan, their son, his wife Lisa and grandaughters Ashley and Alyssa.
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Don Wallick gets the auction started while Bob Mueller displays the number 1 plate.
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Bob presents the number 1 plate to Tony Marcantonio of J.D. Byrider as his wife Jessica and daughter Olivia watch. The Marcantonios also purchased the number 2 plate. When asked after the auction why he bought the plates he said Olivia wanted it. He also said it was because they love Dover and the Italian-American Festival.
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Maria DeMonte presents the number 3 plate to Dick Mason. Having taken two of the photos used on the plate, and along with his wife Fran, designed the plate, he said it was inevitable that he would buy one. He just didn't think he would be lucky enough to get this one.
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The number 4 plate was purchased by Joan Weir of Michigan, who had Eleanor Vesco do the bidding for her since she was unable to attend.
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The fifth and final plate to be auctioned was purchased by the Andrew Wherley family. Andrew's wife, Carla, is the daughter of Fred Delphia, director of the Dominic Greco Band. Fred's picture appears on the plate and Carla played in the band for many years.
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