THUNDER BAY— The Festa Italiana is back at the Italian Cultural Centre to celebrate its 35th year over the long weekend.
The festival started roughly thirty-five years ago when a group of volunteers aided Benny Melchiorre, who wanted to ensure the city did not lose its distinct Italian flavour.
“The most important thing is that we want to share our cultural tradition with the rest of the community and pass it on to the next generation of Canadian Italians,” Melchiorre said.
Originating as a family event, the festival brings a variety of economic, social and other benefits to the city.
“The intent was just to get together a few families and learn about our neighbours, our friends and people from different parts of Italy. And from the first year, the faster we grew,” Melchiorre said, adding that the festival also supports non-profits.
“When we started, we had about 10 non-profit groups. Now we are down to five or six, but it is a good way for them to do fundraising,” he said.
It is a great event, Melchiorre added, and they strive to improve it every year.
“Basically, every year we try to get something new, something exciting,” Melchiorre said.
This year, the festival is raffling off a trip to Italy for two people.
“There is no fee and we know the free trip... is a big draw and a lot of people will go for it. Everybody wants to go to Italy,” Melchiorre said.
Festa Italiana will also feature several entertainment options, including local performers and artists, the Sensational Hot Rods, V3nom and the Hollies and Viva.
“One of the biggest draws is entertainment. We have a big lineup of local entertainment. We have about 10 hours of entertainment a day,” Melchiorre said.
From pasta and meatballs to gnocchi and crostoli, the taste and smell of Italian culture cooked and baked by the Ladies of the Italian Society of Port Arthur will also be available in the Bay and Algoma festival area.
“The big draw is gnocchi, pasta, meatball (and) lasagna. They also have shish kabob,” Melchiorre said.
“Every year we try to add something different.”
Prior to the pandemic, the festival also contained a cultural display of the festival’s past inside the main hall.
Melchiorre hoped next year they would have a cultural display return in the main area.
“I think everyone is happy that we are getting back to normal,” Melchiorre said.
“We are one of the biggest festivals in Northwestern Ontario and it is getting bigger and bigger and slowly we are trying to get back to that part of the festival where it used to be before COVID,” he added.
The festival is free to attend and will run from 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on both Sunday and Monday.
Community members can find more information on the festival online.
