Whether of Italian descent or not, Italian Week is something that many Ottawa residents look forward to every year.
In its 37th annual celebration, the event provides a showcase for Italian culture and this year will pay tribute to the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy.
Local business owners and patrons alike will be able to enjoy a vast array of food, games, live music, rides and special events from June 9 to 19 during the festivities along Preston Street and surrounding area.
The real party begins, however, on Friday, June 17 when Ottawa Little Italy Festival officially starts and shuts down Preston Street to traffic at night when restaurants expand their patios onto the street itself.
A life-long member of the community, Joe Cotroneo, owner of Pub Italia and co-chair of the Preston Street Business Improvement Association, has been participating in Italian Week in one way or another since it began.
“I usually have live music playing every night of the festival. This year I have a seven-piece jazz group that plays a lot of old-school Italian music like Louis Prima,” said Cotroneo. “We also try to promote our more Italian beers such as Peroni, Birra Moretti, and Pedovena Draft.”
As a member of the marketing sub-committee of the BIA, with 15 years in business on Preston Street, Craig Pedersen of Il Primo Ristorante, plans to take full advantage of the special events and help out where he can.
“The purpose of the marketing committee is to help the BIA implement their mandates. What used to take the few BIA members two to three hours to do can now take 20 minutes with all the extra help.”
Adriana David, owner of Il Piccolino, the sister restaurant of Il Primo, feels similarly about the upcoming festivities. Having been born in Italy herself, it’s understandable that David feels a special connection to this year’s celebrations.
“Every year we expand our patio out onto the driveway and have a special menu to celebrate Italian Week. Everything will be red, white, and green,” said David. “This year is definitely more special due to the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy. It’s of course a big celebration.”
Another business looking to take full advantage of the occasion is Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana, with their souvenirs Italian Logo cookies. Co-owner Joe Calabro is excited for the event.
“This year is going to be better and sweeter because the street is totally finished and construction is done,” said Calabro. “It’s going to be vibrant, alive and hopefully people coming in for the weekend will be surprised by the new face of Little Italy.”
David isn’t the only one who feels that this year is going to be extra special. BIA executive director Lori Mellor said the entire focus is on the unification which will lead to some special events never seen before during Italian Week.
“The BIA is responsible for only the events on Preston Street (during Ottawa Little Italy Fest). Our focus (this year) is for sure the Unification,” said Mellor. “We will (of course be having) special events in celebration of the anniversary, such as the Sbandieratori which are synchronized flag throwers dressed in medieval robes and fireworks held on two nights this year.
“But this is the biggest and longest street party in the city. The predictability is what people expect every year and look forward to.”