Entertainment
7 June, 2025
Gearing up for a bigger, better Italian Festival
MAREEBA will host three events as part of the Cairns Italian Festival which kicks off next month.
The festival features a host of events, starting with Opera in the Tropics on 24 July and finishing in Mareeba with the Moriconi-Bomben Soccer Cup on 2 August and the Mareeba Salami & Sausage Festa and the Sa La Briscola – Italian Card Competition on 3 August.
One of the biggest events of the festival is the La Festa Food and Wine day on 26 July which is held at Fogarty Park in Cairns, but there are plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the Italian culture including:
• Parliamo – Italian Speaking Competition at Cairns High School on 25 July
• La Dolce Vita Long Lunch at Ollie’s Italian on 25 July
• Fireworks Extravaganza on the Cairns Esplanade on 26 July
• La Messa – Italian Morning Mass on 27 July
• Festa del contadino (Vegetarian four-course dinner with wines) at Pist4cchi Cairns in Shields Street on 28 July
• Farm House (four-course feast called Festa del raccolto) at the Salt House In Cairns on 29 July
• Festa del Mare at Vitalia’s Italian Restaurant in Cairns on 30 July
• Festa del Maiale at Piccolo Cucina in Cairns on 31 July, and
• Carnevale Masquerade Cocktail Party at The Benson Hotel on 1 August.
The Mareeba soccer event on 3 August is a tribute to Alfio Moriconi (deceased) from the Mareeba Football Club and John Bomben from Leichhardt Football Club, who both devoted a lifetime of passion to their respective clubs which were well-known rivals who fought out many battles on the soccer field over the years.
The Salami and Sausage Festa promises to seek out the best homemade salami and sausages in the region, with several awards to be presented and the overall winner up for a $2000 cash prize.
Expert judges will rate each entry out of 20 in the areas of taste, aroma, density and colour.
There will also be a beautiful homemade Italian lunch and desert to savour provided by the Mareeba International Club with live Italian music by The Fratelli’s, featuring Tony Galliano and Michael Riviera, who will keep the party going with classic Italian hits that will have you singing and dancing.
The Briscola Italian Card Tournament will start at 3pm.
Tickets for all events are already on sale at www.cairnsitalianfestival.com.au
Meanwhile, festival organisers are keen to hear from people who would like to become a volunteer.
Organisers want volunteers for coordinator roles within the committee, and others for smaller roles in the lead-up to the festival, as well as volunteers for the week of the festival.
To apply to be a volunteer, contact the Volunteer Coordinator by emailing volunteers@cairnsitalianfestival.com.au.
