Italian Day on the Drive kicks off in Vancouver

After a long pandemic hiatus, Italian Day on the Drive returned to Vancouver Sunday June 11, 2023. (Greg Bowman, CityNews Image)

By David Nadalini and Emily Marsten

Posted June 11, 2023 10:21 am.

Last Updated June 11, 2023 12:56 pm.

After a long pandemic hiatus, Italian Day on the Drive is back in Vancouver Sunday.

Green, white, and red decorations can be spotted lining Commercial Drive, where eventgoers can participate in a host of activities, including a pasta-eating competition.

Organizers say this year’s theme is Renaissance, or Rinascimento, adding the festival “marks new beginnings.”

“A lot of people went through challenges and we want to come back with new wings, and spread them and fly with everybody here,” Brunella Gaudio, the event’s executive director, told CityNews.

Gaudio adds that there’s lots to see and do.

“We have over 160 participants here down the street, we’ve got three stages, a fashion area,” she said.

“We have special guests from Verona, Italy that actually got wind of this huge event here in Vancouver and wanted to come and be part of it. And so he’s basically an ambassador from Italy coming to share what’s happening here.”

Read more: Italian Day returns to Vancouver’s Commercial Drive this June

Locals can also try an assortment of traditional Italian cuisines — including gnocchi and cannoli — or watch live performances and a fashion show.

“Food is very important. Many of the elements that we actually have in the event, whether it’s food, whether it’s design, whether it is community itself –the whole thing about the Italians is that the family table is really important. That’s where everything happens, and this event has become a family table for everybody,” Gaudio added. 

There will also be a raffle at the festival with a chance to win your very own Vespa.

The event kicks off at 11 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 9 p.m.

Commercial Drive between Venables Street and Grandview Highway will be closed for the duration of the festival and is slated to reopen around 11 p.m.

CityNews 1130 is a proud sponsor of Italian Day on the Drive.

Listen live to CityNews 1130 every 10 minutes on the ones for any major traffic updates. You can also follow us on Twitter @CityNewsTraffic or subscribe to breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.

With files from Greg Bowman and CityNews Staff 

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