IF you’re chasing a weekend-away full of great food, incredible atmosphere and amazing sights and sounds then you should plan a trip 2014 Australian Italian Festival being held in Ingham from July 31 to August 3 which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Festival director, Donna Zanotto said with the jam-packed slate of events, music, food, and activities that will be on offer during the festival it really is the time to visit Ingham and take in the city’s cultural heritage while having a great time as well.
“Our title for this year’s festival is ‘Vent’anni Di Festa E Allegria’ which translates to 20 years of feasting and fun, and we fully intend to live up to slogan,” Donna said.
Donna said events for the festival will actually commence of Sunday 27 July, 6.30am with the Ergon Energy sponsored Come and Try-athlon. The will be held at the Hinchinbrook Aquatic Centre and will be followed by a free breakfast after the event.
“The event will be split into categories for kids 17 and under who will complete a 200m swim, 6km ride and a 2km run, and in Open category will comprise a 400m swim, 12km ride and a 4km run.
“I’d like to stress this is not a hardcore triathlon, it’s just for a bit of fun and fitness.”
The festival will really start to gather momentum on Thursday July 31, with a Hair and Fashion show being held at the Hinchinbrook Shire Hall from 7pm.
“The event allows local and out of town designers to showcase their creations with this year’s theme being Carnevale. Tickets are $40 so please contact us as soon as possible if you wish to attend.”
On Friday August 1 a model search competition will be held at the Tyto Wetland Conference Room from 6pm.
“The competition is open to girls and boys aged from 13 to 18, and there will be great prize on offer for the winner which consists of a full year course at Rhonda’s Final Touch modelling agency in Townsville and full year paid gym membership. Entry to this event is $20.00, this is a free event for the public.
Also on Friday an all ages Toga Party will be held at the Tyto Ampitheatre from 8-12pm, featuring three live bands, King, The Lost Boys and local Ingham band 3 Mile Road.
“It’s a licenced event which will be split into drinking and non-drinking areas, entry is $10.”
On the same night at the Hinchinbrook Shire Hall members from Federal, state and local government will mingle with guests at the Masquerade Gala Dinner which will also mark the official opening of the festival.
“While enjoying their sumptuous seven course dinner guests will be entertained by acts including the Three Tenors, comedian James Liotta, and The De Bellis Band. Tickets are $80 so book now to avoid disappointment.
On Saturday August 2 the main event the Ingham Australian Italian Festival Carnevale gets under way within the Tyto Wetlands precinct starting from 10am.
“We have a huge line-up of musical guests who’ll be playing on the stages as well as roving through the crowd over the duration of the Carnevale.”
Back by popular demand will be Extraordinary Acts a tenor and soprano comedy duo, Danni Da Ros who was the runner-up of The Voice in 2012, the 1 RAR Band, and the 30-plus strong Tableland International Singers.
They will be joined by former Australian Idol contestant Cosima De Vito, Angelo Falcone who is reputedly Australia’s answer to Pavarotti in both looks and voice, and many more.
“We’ll also be having cooking competitions and demonstrations featuring Paul Bulpitt from My Kitchen Rules.”
The cooking competition involves creating a spectacular dish which must contain three core ingredients being pasta, tomato and eggplant.
“Competitors cook the dish at home then bring in the dish ready to eat on Sunday for judging, there will be some great prizes in the offing for the winners.
“We’ll also have hands-on tomato sauce, pasta and cheese making demonstration going on which visitors can try for themselves.”
There will be scores of food and variety stalls, vintage and modern car and motorcycle displays, spaghetti, ravioli and pizza eating competitions, greasy pole climbing, bocce bowls, flame twirlers, and the ever-popular grape stomping competition.
“New this year will be a gondola race with a twist; the event will be held on land with teams of three racing their gondolas by foot to the finish line.”
The regions past will be remembered with a historical photographic reaching as far back as the 1800s depicting immigrants involved in the early cane cutting days.
To make things a lot easier for the mums and dads there will be the Wilmar Kids Corner available with arts and craft and face painting among other activities to keep the little ones entertained with qualified child carers looking over them so parents can relax and enjoy the sights and sounds. To mark the festivals 20th anniversary this year there will be free amusement rides, Melvilles Animal Farm and Timmy the Train all free for the kids.
So mark it on your calendar and be sure to turn up to the 2014 Ingham Italian Australian Festival. You will not be disappointed.
For more information visit the website at http://www.australianitalianfestival.com.au/ or visit the festival on face book.
