Festival fun an Italian job
FESTA Italia organisers are thinking big. In 2019 they will celebrate 10 years of their community festival and have been buoyed by this year’s turnout.
A record crowd of more than 20,000 turned out to North Hobart’s Federal St yesterday, taking in the sights, sounds and flavours of the city’s much-loved Italian community.
Festa president Michael Pace said it was one the biggest festival in the event’s history and put its booming popularity down to word of mouth.
“At one stage you couldn’t move, every single stall had a queue,” Mr Pace said.
“I think it’s [growing] because people get to see it and they go and talk to others about it, but I’m not entirely sure why. It brings tears to my eyes.
“The older Italians were sitting there with smiles on their faces. It really pulls on your heartstrings.”
Mr Pace said visitors from Melbourne, Adelaide and even Western Australia rocked up for a look, while a bus filled with Italian community members from Launceston journeyed south.
As a result of the increased crowds, Mr Pace said next year the event would increase in size anand opening hours would be extended.
“We want to extend the hours to 7 or 8pm and also extend the road at Federal St, so going further down towards the Greek Club or to the intersection [of Campbell St] to accommodate the people.”