Peterborough’s popular Italian Festival is set to be the biggest in its five-year history with the addition of more entertainment and attractions celebrating Italian culture and traditions.
The city’s two-day extravaganza of all things Italian will take place on Cathedral Square on Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22.
Shoppers and visitors will be able to enjoy the culinary delights of a food market from the Foggia region of Italy on the Saturday and throughout Sunday. There’ll be a large selection of salami, cheeses, pizzette and cakes on the market as well as other sweet and savory treats.
Saturday will also see a number of other exhibitors trade into the evening when traditional Italian music and singing will be performed from a stage in front of the Guild Hall.
Additional stalls and entertainment will be on show on day two of the festival and displays include wine making, Italian fashion, food tasting, authentic ceramic arts, Italian holiday offers and traditional accordion and guitar playing.
Visitors will also be able to sample freshly cooked dishes and pizza prepared by three top chefs from Foggia. The chefs, who operate educational restaurants in the Foggia area, will be promoting tourist packages that teach cooking using local food and wine.
Brand new to the festival this year is a 30-piece marching band from Foggia, which will be performing on both days.
Sunday will also mark the arrival of the festival’s special guest, Italian chef and TV personality, Gennaro Contaldo who will cook a recipe he has created especially for Peterborough.
Famous for his touring of Italian regions alongside Antonio Carluccio in BBC’s Two Greedy Italians, Gennaro will also be hosting a book signing in the Visitor Information Centre on Bridge Street.
The festival is organised by the Italian Community Association with support from Peterborough City Council.
Annette Joyce, Head of Commercial Operations for Peterborough City Council, said: “The Italian Festival grows in stature every year and it is beginning to attract people with a passion for all things Italian from outside of the city. We have continued to work closely with the Italian Community Association to ensure it remains as one of Peterborough’s premier events.
“The result is new additions to this year’s event and in particular on the Saturday evening when people having a bite to eat in the city centre can enjoy traditional Italian music being played from the Guild Hall as a perfect accompaniment to their meal.
“The festival is an open invitation for all of us to celebrate the Italian way of life and their culture over a weekend where there is always something to enjoy for everyone.”
Local businesses exhibiting and selling authentic Italian products and cuisine include: Tavola Calda, Barista, Pizza Roma, The Pasta Shop, Frankie and Bennies, Marks and Spencer, Britaly Travel, The Green Backyard (providing ingredients for Gennaro’s dish), Mattoni Restaurant, Asda, Donald’s Alfa Romeo, Michael Mcintyre Magic and many more. Peterborough Marriott Hotel are sponsoring the 30-piece marching band from Foggia.
Other displays include Peterborough Lambretta and Vespa Scooter Club and a range of Italian motorcycles and cars.
Photos: Chris Brudenell for ESP Magazine
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