Maryland Italian Festival offers 'bright light' for title sponsor reeling from warehouse fire

Investigators still trying to determine what started fire in warehouse causing a million dollars' worth of damage.

ABERDEEN, Md. — The fourth annual Maryland Italian Festival is back at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen this weekend — and for title sponsor Frank Avena, it comes at a difficult moment.

Avena, owner of Avena Contracting and Jarrettsville Furniture, signed on as the festival's new title sponsor this year. But just last weekend, a fire caused an estimated $1 million in damage to the Jarrettsville Furniture warehouse and its contents, forcing the family-owned business to close.

Despite the setback, the Avena family is at the festival this weekend.

"Obviously they're going through a tough time right now, but they're here. They're celebrating, and I think, I think actually they needed this festival," said Larry Noto, representing the Avena Maryland Italian Festival. "I think it's a kind of a bright light and kind of a dark time for them, but they're going to pull through. We're going to support them any way we can, and I think they're looking forward to a great festival despite what just happened."

RELATED: Jarrettsville Furniture closes after warehouse fire does $1M in damage