More than five years since last hosting an event, the committee behind La Festa has officially decided to wrap things up, but not before helping pave the way to better community events for people in Griffith.
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The La Festa committee gave their last remaining funds to Griffith City Council, donating $51,000 towards the new stage being built at the Community Gardens.
La Festa's John Farronato said while the committee was disapointed to be calling it quits, they felt "the time was right".
"The events that the committee held were a success and achieved its original intentions," Mr Farronato said.
"It leaves a legacy that can be enjoyed by future generations in the form of its contribution towards the stage."
Councillor Doug Curran accepted the donation on behalf of council, and said he was excited to see what sort of events would be held at the new stage once construction is complete.
...with something like this stage maybe something like La Festa can be re-invigorated by a new group
- Councillor Doug Curran
"It's unbelievable that we're able to have such a significant event donate money that is going to help make future events better and more successful," Cr Curran said.
"It's such a beautiful area, you've got the channel behind it and now you've got the amenities."
"Unfortunately La Festa is just another victim of a lack of volunteers and funding ... but hopefully now with something like this stage maybe something like La Festa can be re-invigorated by a new group."
Cr Curran said construction on the new stage would be complete this month, but no event is currently planned to get things rolling at the upgraded site.
Alongside the donation from La Festa, $100,000 was also donated towards constructing the stage by the late Stuart McWilliam.
The upgraded ampitheatre is part of a major revamp of the community gardens announced by Council last year.
From 1999 to 2015, La Festa was an annual event held in Griffith each Easter, which promoted the food and cultural diversity of the Riverina region.
A lack of volunteers caused the event to be cancelled each year since 2016, and the "changed environment" caused by the COVID-19 pandemic was the final straw for the committee.
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