Road Trip! Now Ain't That a Kick in the Head?
“I don't mind being a legend."
Born in Steubenville, Ohio on June 8, 1917, Dino Paul Crocetti aka Dean Martin was also known as "The King of Cool",. A multi-talented American performer of the mid-20th century. He first rose to fame in 1946 alongside his partner Jerry Lewis in their act, Martin and Lewis. They entertained audiences in nightclubs, radio, television, and film, quickly becoming one of the most beloved duos of their time. Since the passing of Martin in 1995, Steubenville has paid tribute to him each year with an annual festival held in June. Attendees can enjoy tribute concerts, participate in singing competitions, and have the opportunity to meet Deana Martin, daughter of Martin.
A while back, I had the desire to attend Martin's town festival. Unfortunately, my boyfriend and I arrived late and missed out on all the excitement that took place over the weekend. The house where he was born has been torn down, leaving behind a field filled with weeds and trash. This once lively area now stands as just another empty plot of land in a city full of abandoned houses. Similarly, the elementary and middle schools he went to have also been shut down. The church where he was baptized and participated in Scouts with other sons of Italian immigrants has suffered the same fate and now sits empty on South 7th.
Luckily, we stumbled upon the bakery where Martin used to grab his favorite hot rolls and Italian bread after a night out. With its limited hours, we weren't sure if it was open or not. An older gentleman saw our confusion and kindly guided us inside. We ended up buying a loaf of fresh bread, a lovely reminder of the memories Martin must have had at that bakery.
We decided to ask him some questions about it. Curious about why I was in Steubenville, I mentioned my love for classic Hollywood stars. To our surprise, he started chatting animatedly about Dean, sharing his vast knowledge with us. We were completely captivated. He revealed why he knew so much about Dean. He was the former mayor of Steubenville for 25 years, Domenick Mucci Jr.! After learning of Dean Martin's passing on December 25, 1995, Mucci made it his mission to find a way to honor one of Steubenville's most beloved native sons. So the Dean Martin Committee was formed, leading to the creation of the Dean Martin Festival!
Before we left him, he lent me his Focaccia bread to pose with for a photo I just wish I had remembered to snap a photo with him too. Now ain't that a kick in the head!?
We also checked out The Visitors Center, which offers a "Dean Martin: Boyhood Footsteps" walking tour and a State Historical Marker. A bronze statue will be unveiled there soon.
I even got a photo in front of the fantastic Dean Martin mural painted by the talented artist Robert Dever on the side of the Kroger grocery store. The mural captures Martin in his element, with additional panels featuring Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr. In 1951, Dean and Sammy visited Steubenville, followed by a parade in their honor.
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I had a lovely time in Steubenville! Despite missing the festival, it was a wonderful surprise to bump into the person behind the Martin tribute. It made our visit worthwhile.
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