Food, wine and Italian culture at Cairns Italian Festival

The Cairns Italian Festival spans more than a week with a range of events spanning opera, Italian language, morning masses, football and of course the best food and wine Italy has to offer.

Josh Mellen, Levi Mellen, 1, Gabriella Woodforde and Vali Mawer, 5, at La Festa, the feature event of this year's Cairns Italian Festival, held at Fogarty Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

It was all about la dolce vita as the marquee event of the Cairns Italian Festival, La Festa, brought the best food, wine, and culture to Fogarty Park.

The Cairns Italian Festival spans more than a week from July 24 to August 3 with a range of events spanning opera, Italian language, morning masses, football and of course the best food and wine Italy has to offer.

Frankie Cochi, 9, Diane Peppler and Izzy Sweeney, 9, at La Festa, the feature event of this year's Cairns Italian Festival, held at Fogarty Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

The jewel in the crown each year is La Festa which filled Fogarty park with the tricolore of red Ferraris, green basil and the white of pristine tablecloths as diners got a taste of Italy’s best with friends and family.

Committee co-vice president Sam Marino said event was massive hit with number up on last year with an expanded event site bringing more booths and space for revellers.

“We had around 300 people come through in the first 10 minutes and it was just constant from then on,” he said.

“It is very true that when Italians party everyone wants to come along.

“The entertainment was authentic and fantastic and even bigger than last year.”

Mr Marino said the earlier events in the week were a massive hit with the opera and long lunch both sold out.

“They were very well received and supported and there is more to come with events through the next week,” he said.

Mr Marino said it was such a pleasure to see everyone and welcome people from Italian backgrounds together to share their culture with the community.

“My family came here 100 years ago cutting cane,” he said.

“We have seen people coming interstate and overseas to celebrate with the community here in the Far North.

“This event is entirely run by volunteers and I can’t thank them enough.”

Youssef Ben Touati entertains the crowds with his pizza dough spinning skills at La Festa, the feature event of this year's Cairns Italian Festival, held at Fogarty Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

More than just food, the crowds were treated to performances from dancers and talented musicians. Accordionist Little Miss Squeeze Box, saxophonist James Saxman, The Italian Stallions and Melbourne’s Siesta Cartel played traditional songs that bought a sense of nostalgia for those with Italian heritage.

For those who were hungry enough there was also $200 up for grabs in the spaghetti eating competition.

And the events are not over yet.

Pistacchi Cairns will host a truffle-based four-course vegetarian festa called Sapori Della Terra on Monday evening, Salt House will be transformed into an Italian farmhouse on Tuesday and Vitalia’s will host la Festa del Mare for all the seafood lovers on Wednesday night.

Capping of the festival will be the Carnivale Masquerade cocktail party at the Benson Hotel on Friday evening before football players from Mareeba United and the Liechhardt Lions take to the field in Mareeba for Il Calcio celebrating the legacy of two influential figures in the local football community, Alfio Moriconi and John Bomben.

Originally published as Food, wine and Italian culture at Cairns Italian Festival