The Norton Street Italian Festa
Where You Can Be Italian for a Day

On Sunday, 29 October more than 140,000 visitors are expected to fill Norton Street in Leichardt, the heart of Sydney’s ‘Little Italy’, for Italian food and entertainment, and enjoy being Italian for a day at the 31st annual Norton Street Italian Festa.

Festa is a special family and community day for people of all backgrounds. Italians say, “There are only two kinds of people – Italians and those that wish they were”. Both will be at Festa.

From 10am to 5pm Norton Street will be completely transformed by colour, sound and the cooking aromas of great Italian food, and by street activities and on-stage entertainment celebrating all things Italian.

Food is a very important part of Festa, just as it is central to the Italian way of life. Norton Street will be lined with stalls offering all kinds of traditional Italian dishes and other foods, and there will be long communal tables where family groups can catch up to enjoy food and drinks together.

One of the most popular Festa activities each year is the cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs who willingly share their special recipes – and samples of the food they have prepared. This year the line-up of celebrity chefs will include Antonio Sabia (Big Tony) from Puntino Trattoria, Francesco Spataro, a celebrity pizza chef and executive head chef Stefano Brombal.

Entertainment will be provided on the main entertainment stage and by strolling players throughout the day. On the Co.As.It entertainment stage the top acts will include John Stephan, on his return from Las Vegas, Alfie Arcuri, winner of The Voice Australia in 2016 and The Voice contestants Claudia Migliaccio and Brianna Holm.

Festa aims to provide something of interest for everyone in the family. For the ladies, there will be a wide range of fashion and produce stalls, and possible Christmas gifts galore. For the children there will be rides and other fun activities.

For the boys of all ages the AutoFesta display of classic brand name Italian cars and motorbikes in Pioneers Memorial Park will be a great attraction. They will have an opportunity to get close to, admire and fantasise about classic Italian brand names such as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Ducati, Moto Guzzi and Vespa.

In the midst of all the Norton Street activity, The Royal Hotel will be a central gathering place. For a bird’s eye street view of Festa, visitors can take a welcome break on The Royal’s recently restored heritage balcony.

A ‘must be there’ for a great family day out – and to have some fun being Italian for a day. There’s a special closing for Festa with a new Festa App by AGFG and prizes.

For information and photos contact Marjorie Anderson AM – Festa Committee
02 9247 2490 – 0412 017 014 – mha@andersonknight.com.au