Yoogali's Yellow Tail Park will once again transform into a vibrant slice of Italy - complete with music, pizza and wine - for this year's Griffith Italian Festival.
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The Italian locals behind the festival have begun preparing this year's attractions and tickets have now gone on sale for the young but popular event.
Organiser Patrick Zirilli says he is "so excited" to be bringing the event back and he can't wait to pack out the oval for a celebration of the city's Italian heritage .
...with this event we really embrace everything that makes us Italian
- Patrick Zirilli, festival organiser
"It is a very authentic, family-friendly day and you really get an insight into the Italian culture we have here in Griffith," Mr Zirilli said.
"There's going to be wine tasting, cooking demonstrations, local food vendors, market stalls, classic Italian cars, as well as free kids rides."
"We also have traditional Italian bands coming from as far as Melbourne and Sydney who are going to be performing throughout the day."
The festival only launched in 2019 but it proved an instant hit, selling out around 1800 tickets.
Mr Zirilli says he is keen to finally build on this momentum after having to cancel in 2020 due to COVID-19.
"As soon as it finished we couldn't wait to do it again," Mr Zirilli said.
"It was disappointing to cancel last year but we're just really happy to be back again this year."
"I think we'll hit our limit of 3000 people if everything goes well."
For Mr Zirilli, the day is about more than just having fun and eating good food. It's about preservering the unique culture which so many Griffith residents have grown up with.
"Our Italian heritage is something to be proud of," he said.
"We don't want to lose our culture and tradition so with this event we really embrace everything that makes us Italian."
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Mr Zirilli said he was keeping a close eye on COVID restrictions but at this stage everything would be permitted.
This year's Griffith Italian Festival will be held at Yellow Tail Park from midday to 6pm on August 28.
Tickets are $25 and are on sale through Eventbrite and at the Griffith Visitor's Centre.
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