That’s Amore! Mackay will transform into a ‘Little Italy’ across Wood Street and Victoria Street next Saturday as it celebrates the return of the annual Italian Street Party – Molto Bene!
The showcase of Italian food and entertainment for the Sugar City community which began in 2017 when members of the Mackay and District Italian Association created the inaugural event is finally back.
The annual event regularly hosted upwards of 10,000 in Mackay’s city centre precinct before it was forced into a two-year hiatus from 2020, with this year its much awaited return.
It’s going to be a full day of Italian Culture: from an Italian Car Show to beautiful operatic music and pasta eating competitions spread across the 3.00pm to 9.00pm event.
The Operatic singer Paul Tabone will headline – having studied music in Mackay at University - as well as local artist Viva, Kathleen Campbell, Aspire Performing Arts and everyone’s favourites, Domenico and the Latin Mafia.
There’ll be plenty of cuisine courtesy of the amazing street vendors – each with an Italian twist - as well as the local restaurants and bars that flank the street ready to serve.
There’s sure to be entertainment with traditional Italian folk dancing, free kids rides and jumping castles, as well as face painting and balloon twisting.
Just the one caveat for those coming along: make sure you’re all dressed up in Italian red, white and green.
Event Coordinator, Colleen Rose said the beauty of the street party is that there’s something for everyone.
“The vision always was to provide a free event with a lot of great entertainment and activities for adults and children, with of course, lots of amazing Italian food on offer,” Ms Rose said.
“Everyone can watch a great show and be immersed in music, culture and atmosphere.”
Ms Rose said, with this her first year on the committee, she had to give plaudits to the amazing group who kept their spirits high during the two-year break.
“That committee is amazing, every year when they’ve been cancelled, they’ve kept their hopes and kept going,” Ms Rose.
“They’ve been ready to go and they’re unbelievably excited.”
“They’re so passionate about the culture and the heritage. It’s been so beautiful hearing their stories on why they moved to Mackay.”
Ms Rose said it's going to be bigger, better, and even more Italian, with some new acts like the contemporary Ballet from Creative Company Z and the old favourites like Domenico and the Latin Mafia.
“But I have to thank the Mackay Council for their sponsorship this year and also Jayco Mackay too!” Ms Rose said.
