August 20, 2016
Celebration Square
ENTERTAINMENT LINE-UP INCLUDES MORE THAN A DOZEN PERFORMERS
Organizers of Mississauga ITALFEST™ – Ferragosto in the City– have announced details of the 4th annual festival including a headline performance by renowned Italian pop group I Cugini di Campagna. Presented by Solmar Development Corp, the festival will take over Mississauga’s Celebration Square on Saturday, August 20, 2016 from 12:00pm to 11:00pm offering attendees a taste of Italian arts, culture and heritage.
“We are thrilled to bring I Cugini di Campagna – one of Italy’s most glamorous bands from the 70s – to Mississauga ITALFEST™,” said the Co-Chairs of the event, Tina Cole and Patti Jannetta. “Every year, we strive to provide our audience – young and old – with an exceptional entertainment lineup. Thanks to our headline entertainment sponsor CHIN Radio, we are able to do that and have the privilege this year to present a band direct from Italy in their first Canadian performance in several years.”
Along with I Cugini di Campagna, this year’s line-up includes a variety of family-oriented entertainment including: international stand-up comedians Frank Spadone and Pino Pirillo as well as local favourite Riccardo Backyardo; vocalists Antonella Vizzini andEnzo Gusman; violinist Daniele Monticelli; dance band Frankie Cole and The Four Wanderers; Las Vegas style performer Al Ross; singer songwriter Mary Panacci; organetto player Enzo DiPalma; father-daughter duo Alessandro and Roberta Battaglia; the Children’s Folk Choir; classical crossover soprano Alessandra Paonessa; and IT Dance Factory, spanning all areas of music, comedy, and dance. Tickets to access a limited quantity of reserved seating in front of the stage and in the VIP lounge will be made available for purchase in the coming weeks through the festival website at www.mississaugaitalfest.com.
A new addition this year is the Mississauga ITALFEST™ SportZone featuring displays and inflatable challenges from the Raptors On The Go team, Mississauga Steelheads, a youth soccer challenge, and skills demonstrations from Apex IFC. The popular Heritage and Cultural Centre, presented in partnership with Heritage Mississauga, will explore Italian history while spotlighting the regions of Molise and Abruzzo with displays of art, photography, furniture, music and various artifacts specific to each area.
Italian MP, the Honourable Francesca La Marca, representing the electoral college of North and Central America, will participate in the opening ceremonies along with local dignitaries and the Italian ‘Carabienieri’, ‘Braseglieri’ and ‘La Polizia’.
Also on the schedule are Bocce, Scopa and Briscola tournaments, a pasta-eating contest sponsored by Palma Pasta, the Pizza Nova pizza-making workshop, and the presentation of the Johnny Lombardi Family Heritage Award and Louis Jannetta Youth Heritage Award.
More than 20,000 expected attendees will have the opportunity to experience an authentic Italian-style cuisine, examine artistries, and purchase merchandise from more than 50 onsite vendors, artisans, and exhibitors.
For the full schedule, additional details and announcements, visit www.mississaugaitalfest.com.
Twitter: @MissITALFEST
Facebook / Instagram: @mississaugaitalfest