NEAD Family Fun Festival on Aug.1-4

North End Against Drugs (NEAD) in conjunction with the Nazzaro Center and Eversource will host this year’s 4 Day Family Fun Festival with activities at several venues.

• Saturday, August 1 a 5pm LaFesta Baseball Tournament at Puopolo Park.
• Sunday, August 2 from 12-4:30pm North End Family Pride Day at Langone Park.
• Monday, August 3 at 7pm Family Boat Cruise.
• Tuesday, August 4 at 11am Puppet Show at North End Library.
• Tuesday, August 4 from 6-9pm National Night Out in the Prado.

The event will also include live performances and an art contest at the Family Pride Day.

North End businessman named Chair of MRA

by Regional Review Staff

Donato Frattaroli, the owner of Lucia Ristorante, has been named as the new Chairman of the Board of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association (MRA) at the Association’s annual board meeting.

Frattaroli is an active member of MRA and has also served as its first Vice-President.

Donato, a neighborhood activist and the founder of Casa Monte Casino in the North End, intends to remain focused on the MRA’s key initiatives while actively expanding the organization memberships.

As chairman, Frattaroli’s strategy will be directed toward increasing overall awareness of the MRA. He plans to focus on making sure the younger generation is aware of MRA and is a unique organization within the food service industry.

Frattaroli was born in Sulmona, Italy and immigrated to America at the age of 14. In 1977, his family started the popular Lucia Ristorante in Boston’s North End. The eatery quickly became a premier community destination serving authentic Italian food.

Besides the “Taste of The North End”, Frattaroli is active in many professional, social and charitable organizations and hosts the annual North End Bocce Tournament.

“The restaurant industry in Massachusetts is thriving and I am honored to be named as the Mass Restaurant Association’s Chairman of the Board during this exciting time,” Frattaroli said. “As Chairman, my goal will be to develop opportunities to entice, enrich and establish the next generations of restaurateurs into the use of MRA services.”

Frattaroli was named Massachusetts Restaurateur of the Year (2006). He was named to the Massachusetts Restaurant Association’s Hall of Fame (2009).