Staff photo / Andy Gray

Corey Hovance, president of the Warren Italian-American Heritage Festival, talks about the 40th edition of the festival, which was founded by his grandfather, Lou Metter. Corey Hovance doesn’t remember the first Warren Italian-American Heritage Festival.

He’s only 39 years old, and his grandfather, Lou Metter, founded the downtown Warren festival in 1985 before he was born, but he believes his grandfather would be proud to know that the event is celebrating its 40th edition today through Sunday.

“I think he’d be happy that it’s still going strong,” Hovance said. “We’re still trying to keep up with the times, but celebrating our past. It’s a lot of hard work. The volunteers and the board members take time away from their families. But everyone here is very dedicat

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