Mangia! Mangia!: Buffalos Italian Heritage Festival returns to Hertel Avenue [Video]

BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — A big stretch of Hertel Avenue in North Buffalo is filled with red, white and green for the annual Italian Heritage Festival that kicked off Friday.

Hertel is closed from Delaware Avenue to Virgil for the celebration of food and fun.

“I just love the energy. You can tell everyone is just enjoying themselves,” declared Gabriella of Buffalo.

As I took a stroll along Hertel Avenue, I found the street filled with Italian music, people, drinks and of course plenty of food vendors.

“I love all the food, to be honest, I love seeing all the food,” stated Gabriella.

At the Mangia booth, owner Matthew Spangola says they’re serving up some usual favorites.

“We also have the deep-fried lasagna, which is unique in that you don’t see them everywhere. We have deep-fried spaghetti, which is also very unique,” Spagnola described.

Spagnola operates seven vending booths at …