The Executive of Festitalia 2018 made the decision based on advice from its WH&S Consultant, Electrical Contractor, Venues Facilities Manager and Hire Contractors, following continuous rainfall throughout the week and predicted rainfall over the coming days.

Mariangela Stagnitti, president of Com.It.Es QLD & NT and member of the organising committee of Festitalia, told La Fiamma that “we couldn’t take the risk”.

“It’s been raining for six or seven days in Brisbane,” she said.

“We’re not used to it.

“On Thursday evening we had all the stalls set up and we thought it would be okay.

“But it was raining really, really heavily all day Saturday, and the event is held on a soccer pitch.

“There was so much mud.

“We didn’t want to take that risk for the patrons or the stallholders.”

Stagnitti told La Fiamma that the community has since “come together beautifully” to help out those stallholders affected by the cancellation.

“Most of the restaurants have been able to use what they had prepared for the festival by adding it to their menus for the week,” she said.

Brisbane City FC dished up Italian-style ribs and gnocchi alla sorrentina between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm on Sunday, October 14, to help fill the “giant gnocchi-shaped hole in your heart (and tummy)”.

The Three Saints Brisbane Committee rallied together with friends and family and the help of the internet, to sell 200 kilograms of marinated octopus, 480 bottles of Italian water and 400 soft drinks, in light of the cancelled event.

Stagnitti has also been involved in assisting one stallholder to sell quantities of specialty uncooked porchetta: a treat for any diehard Italian.

Many would-be attendees took to Facebook to express their disappointment yet understanding.

“To make the decision to cancel an event is always the toughest call to make,” one person said.

“We’re all looking forward to next year!”

Festitalia was originally created by the Festitalia Association Inc as a joint project between the Consulate of Italy and Com.It.Es QLD & NT, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Italian Republic.

The first edition held in 2006 at New Farm Park saw the collaboration of many Italian community-based organisations and businesses and was attended by over 30,000 participants.

In subsequent years the Italian festival was implemented by Co.As.It. Community Services until 2016, before being handed back to be managed again by the Festitalia Association Inc.  

Regardless of its organisers, throughout its 10-year existence, the official festival has held a premier position as a not-for-profit community event that is aimed at Australians from all walks of life. 

It will be back in 2019, so keep an eye out for updates!