STEUBENVILLE — Some old favorites are returning to the 2023 Dean Martin Festival, set for later this week in downtown Steubenville.

Organizer Fran Carinci said they’ve brought back the parade as well as Jimmy Monoco’s traveling collection of Dean Martin memorabilia, a fan favorite. That’s in addition to all the new features they’ve incorporated, like the Dino Dash, a 5K trail run/walk and tot trot at historic Beatty Park.

She said Dino’s 90-year-old cousin will also be in town for his first visit.

“It’s going to be a great weekend,” Carinci said. “We’re trying really hard to have as much activity as we can.”

Parades are always a crowd favorite, and Carinci is hoping to make this year’s Dean Martin/Rat Pack Parade as unforgettable as the legendary crooner himself.

The parade will proceed down Fourth Street, beginning at noon on Saturday, with TV personality Lou Martini — better known as Anthony Infante from “The Sopranos,” as well as roles in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Falcone” and even “The Godfather” — serving as grand marshal. Units have been asked to decorate or dress in the Dean Martin theme, and Carinci said they’re still accepting entrants.

“We’d love to see even more people participate in the parade,” she said. “It was always a big thing during the Dean Martin Festival in the past.”

Carinci said anyone who’d like to join the fun can enter by filling out an application — you can get it from her or at the Steubenville Visitor Center. A meeting for parade participants at noon on Tuesday will be held in the Visitor Center.

“Things have been going really well, people have been wonderful, the interest has been so great,” she said, adding she’d love to see even more people join in the fun. “This was always a big thing during the Dean Martin festivals. We want the community to come out and participate, people enjoy (parades) so much and they bring everyone together.”

Carinci said Jimmy Monoco’s traveling collection of Dean Martin memorabilia drew a crowd the last time it was in Steubenville and they were thrilled to hear he wanted to bring it to Steubenville for the festivities. It will be on display in the lobby of the former PNC bank on North Fourth Street.

“It’s an amazing collection, all the memorabilia he has,” she said. “It’s just an amazing collection. It’s been several years (since it was here).”

The fun starts Thursday, with the ever-popular karaoke contest at the Spot Bar, and on Friday Joe Scalissi, a nationally known Dean Martin tribute performer, and some “surprise guests” will treat the crowd to a limited performance at the Spot Bar.

“The rest of the Rat Pack may pop in and make guest appearances as well,” Carinci said. “It’s a preview of the Saturday night show, the Rat Pack Dinner Show at Froehlich’s Classic Corner” beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Following the dinner show, the Spot Bar is hosting an after-party, she said.

The starting gun for the Dino Dash will sound at 8 a.m. Saturday. The 5K trail run/walk and tot trot will take racers through scenic Beatty Park, with proceeds benefiting the Steubenville Department of Park and Recreations. After the parade, classic cars will line the 100 block of South Fourth Street, with DJ Kevin Dennis entertaining passersby in front of the Grand Theater. The Grand is the last of the five theaters that once dominated the downtown and is currently undergoing extensive renovations. The lobby will be open and the Steubenville Art Association will have a themed show and art sale and tours of the theater will be offered for donations.

The Spot Bar will feature entertainment by Twice as Nice on Saturday, while the Steubenville trolley will take festival-goers around the downtown and its famous murals from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m, with an onboard tour guide telling the stories behind the murals as well as tales of Dean Martin’s time in the city for a $5 donation.

The Spot Bar will host an after party, she added.

Festival-goers also are encouraged to stop at the Steubenville Visitor Center, 120 S. Third St., where a special video produced by longtime Dean Martin fan Tina Baker will be running. Entitled “Sweet Memories of Steubenville,” the film includes dozens of clips from Martin’s many movies and TV shows where he mentions his hometown. They include scenes with Jerry Lewis, Don Rickles, Perry Como and even former Mayor Andy Miller. This video can only be seen in Steubenville at the Visitor Center and, later, during the Rat Pack Dinner Show.

The Visitor Center will have a Steubenville History and Dean Martin Display as well, and those who love history can tour Historic Fort Steuben at a special reduced rate that day.

“It’s so important to have this festival,” Carinci said. “We need things in the summer, for the community.”