The weekend of October 7 and 8, 1978, remains etched in the memory of many Melburnians: those were the days of the first edition of the Lygon Street Festa.

Born from an idea of John Bogotto, the former owner of the Lygon Food Store, the first edition of the festival was organised by the Carlton Traders’ Association and saw a crowd of several thousand people attend a series of popular shows and events.

From that year on, the Italian event became a tradition that is still observed today in the months of October and November.

Over the past 41 years, many artists and performers have entertained huge crowds, while the festival always features a spread of Italian fare with various specialties and regional dishes.

Do you recognise yourself in one of the photos in the slideshow below, or do you know the story behind any of the moments captured?

Send the IHS an email or write to them at: CO.AS.IT. Italian Historical Society, 189 Faraday Street, Carlton, VIC, 3053.

For more information, visit the IHS website.

The staging of a Sicilian puppet show at the Lygon Street Festa by Sydney puppeteer, Giovanni Bronzino, in 1979. (Photo: E.M. Bergagna)

Sbandieratori (flag-wavers) from Siena performing during the Italian Arts Festival Melbourne, c.1980. (Photo: E.M. Bergagna)

Dignitaries at the opening of the Lygon Street Festa. Included in the image are: John Cain (then Premier of Vctoria) and Mrs Cain, Sir James Gobbo (later Governor of Victoria) and Lady Gobbo, Ralph Bernardi (then Lord Mayor of Melbourne), Luciano Bini, Emilio Bini (then Italian Trade Commissioner), Antonio Provenzano (then Consul General of Italy) and Mrs Provenzano

The CO.AS.IT. Italian Assistance Association Melbourne Ladies' Committee stall at the Lygon Street Festa, c.1980. The committee was raising funds for a special CO.AS.IT. project at the time. Included in the image are: Claudia Santilli and Marie-Claire Vozzi (wife of the then Italian Consul). (Photo: E.M. Bergagna)

Dancers entertaining the crowds at the Lygon Street Festa

A street performer entertaining the crowd at the Lygon Street Festa, in November 1979. (Photographer: E.M. Bergagna)