SOUTHEND: Annual Italian Festival hits town

Southend will enjoy a taste of La Dolce Vita on Saturday 28 August, when the Italian Festival takes over the High Street.

The event takes place between 10am and 4pm and is a celebration of all that is great about the country that gave us the Pizza and Pavarotti – and in true Italian fashion, has something for all the family, from the bambini (kids) to nonna (grandma).

For motor racing fans there is a unique opportunity at Victoria Circus to get up close with a Ferrari 430 GT car and chat to Thorpe Bay’s hotly-tipped Formula Renault racing star, Robert Foster-Jones. There is also an Italian Super Car display – including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis – and a display of classic Alfa Romeo’s, who are celebrating their centenary this year.

Take a leisurely stroll up the High Street and you can admire a stunning collection of Ducati motorcycles (outside) and Vespa scooters (inside) The Royals.

Apart from the fashion, the cars, opera and of course, the country itself, many say the best thing about Italy, is its cuisine. For foodies, there will be a wealth of opportunities to sample and enjoy the vast range of Italian cooking and flavours.

Taste Italia, the Essex award-winning organic cookery school, will be hosting a series of taste-tests and cooking demonstrations outside The Royals. There’s fun for the kids with a free pasta art workshops inside The Royals or they can get creative and have a go at Italian Street Art outside.

There is also the chance to sample ice-cream outside Southend’s famous Tomassi’s Cafe, before picking up some authentic and delicious Italian
produce to take home from the Italia in Piazza market.

Roaming entertainers will also keep everyone amused with opera arias (and much more), whilst the BBC Essex Roadshow will entertain the crowds at Victoria Circus – and prepare for the Pizza Throwing Contest hosted by Mike & Ollie from BBC Essex Introducing outside The Royals.

Fancy doing your own (legal) version of the Italian Job? Well, there’s a chance to win a brand new Mini Cooper for just £1 – raffle tickets can be bought at the Italian Job display, with all money raised going to children’s charity KidsOut.

The Italian Festival has been organised by the Town Centre Partnership, chaired by Dawn Jeakings, Centre Manager of The Royals Shopping Centre, who says:

“It’s going to be a fantastic day with loads of great things going on. We really hope it will encourage people to come along and see what the High Street has to offer. Events like the Italian Festival are all about promoting Southend Town Centre as the destination of choice for shoppers and traders, residents and visitors.”

Taste Italia taste-tests and cooking demonstrations outside The Royals – 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 1.30, 2.30 & 3.30pm

Tomassi ice cream sampling outside Tomassi’s Cafe – 11, 12, 1, 2 & 3pm

Pizza Throwing Contest outside The Royals – 2.30pm

See preview of last year’s event here