Another event for Timmins this summer, as a part of the downtown will transform into Little Italy for a weekend.

Festa Italiana—an Italian-themed outdoor street party—takes place Sunday, July 30th from 11:00am to 8:00pm in front of the Porcupine Dante Club with a number of events that celebrate Italian heritage.

Organizer Dr. Chris Loreto, who is part of the Dante Club Board of Directors, says Italian culture has played a huge role in the development of the City of Timmins and the board wanted to do more to showcase their heritage.

“When I was a child growing up in Timmins, the Dante Club used to have an outdoor festival like this every summer,” he said, “And slowly but surely, we’ve been trying to revive it in a very small scale.”

Loreto notes other communities in the North have been holding similar festivals, adding the club decided to “go for it” this year. They’re also partnering with the Downtown BIA in the venture.

The street party will feature music, dancing, singing, a Kids Zone, grape stomping and even a spaghetti-eating contest.

The Saturday before (July 29th) will be the Dante Club’s first ever golf tournament at Spruce Needles Golf Course.

Admission to the street party is free and officials welcome everyone.

“You don’t have to be Italian to enter, but you will be once you leave,” quipped Loreto.

Filed under: Local News