General News
16 August, 2023
Italian Festival culminates with delicious competition
The Cairns Italian Festival wrapped 17 days of celebration with a packed weekend that culminated with the delectable Salami and Sausage Festa in Mareeba, last Sunday.
With the Cinecittá Gala Ball and Awards on Friday, the Mareeba Moriconi Bomben Soccer Cup on Saturday and the Mareeba Salami and Sausage Festa on Sunday, hundreds of people across the Far North got to enjoy the best of Italian food and culture.
At the Gala Ball and Hall of Fame Awards, first generation Italian immigrant and exemplar Mareeba resident Mick Borzi, 90, was recognised as a life member due to his key role in Mareeba’s advancement as former chairman of the Mareeba Shire Council.
Delicious food and engaging entertainment with dancers and the performance of Melbourne band Siesta Cartel made for an unforgettable night and a celebration of Cairns’ Italian community members.
“We sold out all the tickets, so we had 310 people in attendance,” said Cairns Italian Festival president Steve Cordenos.
“It was amazing seeing people dancing and really enjoying the music. Turning Pointe Dance Studios entertained us with three styles of dancing, and the Hall of Fame Awards were incredible.
“The biggest moment of the night was our life member, Mick Borzi, he’s a legend in the Tablelands and regional North Queensland, he’s such a humble man and truly deserving of the award.”
The appetising Mareeba Salami and Sausage Festa saw the two-time champion partnership Frank Musmarra and Frank Barbieri Family Salami walk away with the top honours for his renowned sausages and salami.
Once again with a full house, attendees enjoyed a classic Italian menu with Fusilli pasta and ragu, meatballs and roasted potatoes and a decadent table of Italian desserts.
In the salami and sausage competition, Frank Musmarra and Frank Barbieri Family Salami took out the in the northern style salami category, while Frank Falvo claimed victory in the southern style category. Anna Falvo took the crown in the no style salami category, and the salsicia style winner was David Moreno. Anna Avoilio took out the cullatello category while Cristian Biasiolo took out the cappocolo category.
On the culmination of a very successful second edition of the Cairns Italian Festival, Mr Cordenos said the only place to go was up.
“This is only our second year, we will continue growing,” he said.
“In total and across all our event, we estimate 30,000 people attended. I would like to thank my committee for their tireless efforts and our 70 sponsors who embraced our events.”
Other winners of the Hall of Fame Awards were:
Community service award – Ginetta Marmara
Farming and agriculture award – Elvio Meoli
Educational achievement award – Floriana Torelli
Sporting achievement award – Frank Farina
Arts and culture achievement award – Roz Pappalardo
Young Italian of the year – Claudio Di Bartolomeo
Business recognition award – Vitalia Zanda
Life member – Mick Borzi.
