Mamma mia! The Italians are back!

THIS Saturday’s Italian Festival will impress with more food, drinks, entertainment and displays on offer than ever before. It is no wonder the festival anticipates more than 20,000 people flocking to Civic Park from 12pm to get a taste of one of the Territory’s most culturally rich events which honours the Mediterranean homeland of generations of Territorians. Flavours of Italy will ignite Civic Park with a selection of food from across the 20 regions of Italy. “It will be a foodie’s dream,” said Italian Festival association chair Ross Finocchiaro. “Of course there will be wood-fired pizza and an assortment of pasta but what is great about the festival is exp periencing Italian flavours y you may have never tried befo fore. Bistecca (Italian steak), p porchetta (moist boneless p pork roast) and authentic It Italian seafood such as octop pus and calamari are just so some culinary delights on o offer. “Try our unique Italian b beverages, chinotto (cola), a aranciata (orange juice) and li limonata (lemonade) which a are staple soft drinks across It Italy,” Mr Finocciaro said. “It wouldn’t be Italian festival fe without a dolce (sweet) (s and caffé (coffee) to top off your meal. Homemade gelato, cakes, cannoli, chocolates and spiedini sp di Nutella (Nutella te kababs) are just some so of the mouth-wate tering desserts to indulge in.” in While your tastebuds delight d in the finest of food, fo your other senses will w soak up the vibrant Italian It energy with a tenhour te line-up of entertainment on the main stage g with local and national tal- ent.

Australian-Italian award- winning actor and presenter James Liotta will MC the main stage, which will showcase performances from Flag Show Italia, Dolce Entertain- ment, Dean Canan, The Rusti- ca Project, Claudia Migliaccio, Tarantella Dance Troupe and the highly-anticipated Italian Idol.

Wander around the festival to discover an array of Italian spectacles from giant iconic landmarks including the Trevi Fountain, Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Rialto Bridge, gondolas, medieval flag-throwing, a vintage Italian car display, spaghetti-eating competitions and cooking demonstrations.

A photo display will pay tribute to the Territory’s Italian history.

Schools have also taken part in the festivals and artwork from local children will be on display at the entrance of the festival.

Italian Festival associate secretariat Maria Randazzo said Territorians would be able to bring Italy into their homes with live cooking demonstrations at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm.

“Our mammas and nonnas will be passing on their secret recipes at the cooking demonstration, filling the festival with aromas of arancini (deep fried rice balls), pollo alla diavola (devilled chicken), and chiacchiere (thin, crispy pastry dusted with icing sugar),” she said.

“We also have a dedicated children’s area for the bambinos, with Italian-themed entertainment including facepainting, arts and craft, circus tricks and a grandissimo jumping obstacle course.”

This year’s festival will support and raise money for Black Dog Institute, Helping People Achieve and Camp Quality. Look out for their stations at the Trevi Fountain and kids’ area respectively.

For more information visit italiansnt.com.au or like the ‘Italian Festival Darwin’ page on Facebook.