Canada Bay’s Italian Festival – Sunday 17th August
In celebration of all things Italian and to mark the middle of the famous European summer, every August Five Dock comes alive at Ferragosto…
There is so much happening at Ferragosto 2014, celebrating food, music, sport, film, and sustainability, and it all kicks off at 10am.
Wander over to FerraCucina to see talented local chefs cook up a feast for the senses and meet our cover star Gus, and his team from Five Dock Meat Market (pictured right), as they serve up a delicious sausage sizzle for the crowds – an annual festa tradition.
Food lovers will also enjoy the Gelato Eating Competitions, held next to the Post Office. When you’ve had your fill of delicious gelato, a visit to FerraPiazza is essential for a little wine sampling, all in the ambience of a classic Italian square.
For those who love to shop, the FerraMarket has over 150 stalls, showcasing a range of food from around the world, not to mention a huge range of fashion, jewellery, arts and crafts. Stalls worth looking out for include: Five Dock’s Little Shoe Shop and The Perfect Occasion, Forza Italia for Italian sporting apparel, venetian masks, CD’s and DVD’s, The Little Gift Company that brings Italian themed clothing and accessories all the way from Adelaide and CFC Australia, which will be selling Italian perfumes.
The kids haven’t been forgotten either. There is plenty to entertain your young ones at FerraGiovani, including free rides, an animal farm, street soccer trick demonstrations and a performance from Harlequin’s Puppet Theatre, guaranteed to entertain both young and old.
In addition to all these exciting events, Ferragosto embraces environmentally friendly practices. It is a carbon neutral, plastic bag and polystyrene-free event, with green fuel generators powering the stages. Festival goers are encouraged to ride their bike or bring a reusable carry bag to the event.
Those that do so can visit the EcoHub stall, and enter the Sustainability Prize Draw. There is a chance to win terrific prizes for showing your bike helmet or reusable bag, including a $100 gift voucher from a local bike shop, and a $100 voucher for online eco store, Biome.
With so much happening, plus roving entertainment roaming along Great North Road all day long, one day is never enough to explore Ferragosto and the lively Italian culture pulsating through the Inner West.
Message from the Mayor
Welcome to Ferragosto 2014!
This year’s Ferragosto promises to be another fantastic day celebrating Italian culture as Five Dock comes alive with the taste of Italy!
Join us on Sunday 17th August from 10am to 4pm to enjoy an exciting range of live entertainment from music and dancing to martial arts. See local chefs showcase their talent and sample delicious food and wine. Classic Italian cars return, try street soccer and there’s lots of fun for the kids!
We are proud that we are once again bringing Ferragosto to our community using green fuel to deliver a carbon neutral event.
There is so much to see and do for the whole family. I look forward to seeing you on Great North Road, Five Dock for a great day out.
Mayor Angelo Tsirekas
What’s On
Pina Pacialeo
Participating in FerraCucina is local treasure Pina Pacialeo (right), who has gained fame through her online cooking show, Pina Cucina. Watch her cook up traditional recipes, as the saying goes, just like Nonna makes!
#Ferragosto2014
Ferragosto is introducing an exciting Instagram Photo Competition this year. Using the hashtag #Ferragosto2014, or tagging @canadabay, upload the snaps that show what Ferragosto means to you. Prizes include a $600 voucher and styling package for Birkenhead Point Outlet Centre, or an iPad mini, valued at $479.
Mask Making Workshops
Get in touch with your creative side and join in the free Carnival mask making workshop, inspired by the elaborate masks worn at the famous Carnival of Venice. Workshops will be held outside 7-Eleven, bring the kids along!
Book Signing
Davide Cottone will be signing and selling his book Cancutter outside John Sidoti’s office on Great North Road during Ferragosto. The book is the biography of Sicilian immigrant, Carmelo Cottone, and documents his escape from political persecution in Italy, as well as the freedom he found as a canecutter in Queensland.
A fun day out at Ferragosto 2014
Come along to Five Dock on August 17th to enjoy a taste of all things Italian. A wonderful day out for the whole family, this day is not to be missed!
Main Stage Highlights
10am: My Guitar School
10.50am: Sandra Malone Dancers
11.15am & 11.55am: Early Dance Consort
11.50am: David Cottone introduces his latest novel, Sotto Il Sole Australiano
12.20pm: Coro D’Abruzzo Choir
12.45pm & 2.15pm: EuroLatino accompanied by the Greg Hooper Band
2.55pm: Opera Australia
3.45pm: DJ Rosso
FerraPiazza
Sample wine from the Hunter Valley, Mudgee and Armidale regions, eat some wood-fired pizza, and bask in a traditional Italian square.
10am-1pm:
Carlos Alberto Perez playing relaxing seven-string classical Spanish guitar
1pm-3pm:
PhilHarmonix Music playing a mix of bossa nova and Parisian 1920’s dance hall, certain to get your feet moving
Travelling Trios 11am-2pm
Sentosa Trio
Travelling along Great North Road between Henry Street and Barnstaple Road, brothers Nigel and Joern Harris, and Shane Cranney will entertain with their eclectic mix of instruments, including trumpet, accordion and clarinet. The Trio will be delighting festival goers with their unique style of acoustic jazz.
Commedia dell’arte Trio
Moving along Great North Road playing drums and percussions, the traditional Commedia-style troupe will be stopping at various locations. Graeme Rhodes, Gary Fitzpatrick and Lou Pollard will be performing short, funny, interactive skits, involving the audience in the action.
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