THUNDER BAY -- Friends, family and food has kept Festa Italiana going for more than two decades.
The smell of authentic Italian cuisine has brought hundreds to the Italian Cultural Centre Sunday afternoon to celebrate the 26th annual Festa Italiana.
The Italian Society of Port Arthur has invited the entire community to come and enjoy the culture of Italy for the long weekend.
“The festival helps us celebrate our culture and tradition,” said festival chairman Benny Melchiorre.
“It allows us to share it with the rest of the community and also pass it on to the next generation of Canadian-Italians.”
The two-day event features Italian music and dance with live entertainment that includes the Alpini Choir, John Scaffeo and Friends, Le Stelle Alpine Dancers, a talent show and a spaghetti eating contest.
“We have a good lineup of entertainers,” Melchiorre said. “There’s a little bit for everybody, for young and for old.”
Of course, there’s plenty of Italian food to go around. The Italian Society of Port Arthur, Gran Sasso Club, Italia Juventus Soccer Club, Ladies of the Italian Society of Port Arthur and St. Anthony’s Holy Name are serving authentic Italian dishes and treats throughout the event.
Organizers said this year, they are expecting to surpass last year’s attendance of 24,000 people.
“Twenty-six years ago the community embraced Festa Italiana in a way that kept them coming back year after year,” Melchiorre said.
Italian Society of Port Arthur president Victor Chiodo said Festa Italia has grown throughout the community a lot in 26 years.
“They keep on supporting us,” Chiodo said. “I can’t say enough for our community, they come and support us year after year.”
Sunday evening will close with fireworks around 11 p.m.
