Close to 15,000 people poured into the TYTO Wetlands Precinct in Ingham on August 6-7 to bask in the rich atmosphere provided by the annual Australian Italian Festival.
Festival director Donna Zanotto said numbers through the gate increased by 25 per cent from 2015.
“After speaking to festival visitors this year it would seem the rise comes right down to word-of-mouth promotion. Close to 70pc of guests this year were from out of town which is pretty impressive,” she said.
As well as enjoying all the mouth-watering homemade Italian fare they could fit in their stomachs, visitors also took part in festival favourite activities including the grape stomping competition and ravioli and pizza eating events.
“A new event this year was the Great Toga Race which heaps of visitors got involved in, it was so funny to see them tearing down the course in their white sheets.”
She said the cooking demonstrations featuring My Kitchen Rules contestants Luciano and Martino were a big hit with guests.
“They’re a real pair of characters, and they brought an authentic Italian touch to the festivities which I’m sure guests will long remember.”
She said the feedback the committee received regarding the live entertainment was extremely positive.
“Paul Gulinello our tenor from Melbourne was amazing, after his last performance the crowd gave him a standing applause which lasted five minutes.
“We had a big variety of artists ranging from choirs, singers and musicians to fire twirlers, the 1 RAR Band, comedians and more.
“There was always something different for guests to enjoy on two stages all day right up until 11.30pm.”
She said next years festival is already in the planning stage, and will be bigger than 2016.
“Four local accommodation houses are already three quarters booked for the 2017 festival which will take place on August 5-6.
“We’ll have to work out what to expand our accommodation options if numbers keep growing, and that’s a great problem to have.
“Four visitors have walked into the office to say it was by far the best festival they’ve been to and they are nomads who travel all over Australia.
“They said it was great seeing complete strangers talking to each other and becoming fast friends within a day or two, which is what the festival is all about.”