Ingham and surrounds are abuzz with excitement in the lead up to the much anticipated Australian Italian Festival on August 6-7. Join in the two-day extravaganza as culture and community collide at the TYTO Precinct, off the Bruce Highway, just minutes from Ingham’s CBD.
The world class festival will kick off on August 4 with Hair and Fashion Show and Model Search. The ticketed event will be a true showcase of the talented of high profile fashion designers, wearable art-makers and wonderful boutiques from Ingham. The show will also incorporate local hairdressers and their apprentices with the model search open to male and female competitors aged 13-17 and 18-25 and is an opportunity for young people who aspire to have a career in modelling to win a year-long modelling course. Many of the past winners have gone to work in the fashion industry.
The festival officially kicks off on the evening of August 5 where punters can attend the prestigious Masquerade Gala Dinner. Glamorous attendees will head to the Hinchinbrook Shire Hall dressed in their finest and be greeted by Gala MC James Liotta and treated to a seven-course meal of authentic, home-cooked Italian food before the fabulous De Bellis Entertainment Italian Band helps you dance the night away. Australian Italian Festival director Donna Zanotto said the festival was a unique event for the region and a huge annual drawcard. “There’s nothing like it in Australia,” Donna said.
“We have more than 130 volunteers at the festival and every single one of them work hard to ensure visitors feel like they’re part of the family.” Donna said the culture aspect of the festival was an important aspect with the addition of a historical display.
“It’s a timeline of Italian immigrants who came here and how hard they worked, not just in Ingham but in Queensland to make the state prosper.”
Opening to the public on August 6 at 10am, crowds will be met with an action-packed day of non-stop entertainment over two stages. Featuring well-known singers, comedians, choirs and big bands including the Band of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR Band), from Townsville. There will be a large variety of craft and food stalls including the authentic Mamma’s Cucina with food cooked as you wait. From quail and polenta to sausages and spaghetti in a variety of sauces, the festival will keep you coming back for more with enticing Italian delicacies. The a huge variety of demonstrations and displays continue on August 7. Surround yourself with cultural delights and authentic atmosphere with sights, sounds and smells direct from Italy.
For more information phone (07) 4776 5288 or visit: www.australianitalianfestival.com.au
