The eighth annual Italian Day street celebration (June 11, noon-8pm) is set to be a sunny, sweaty spectacle of human spirit and amore.
If previous Italian Days are any indication, Vancouverites (and throngs of ’ites from further afield) won’t be able to resist the car-free, food-lined, authentically rooted arts and culture bonanza. And can you blame them? The Commercial Drive block party is one of the highlights of the community calendar, which is why what feels like half the city decends on the East Side for the afternoon.
But, with a number of Italian Days under my belt, including observing the river of humanity from the relative safety of the Westender booth last year, here’s my advice.
Go early
If you have a must-try food stall in mind, the early bird gets the grub. Remember, Vancouverites train all year in brunch lines, so you’re up against seasoned sidewalk standers. Latecomers: pace yourselves – pick two or three key lines and be prepared to wait. Oh, and bring snacks; no one wants to see you hangry.
Know before you go
If you’re a planner, like me, print out the list of all the participating vendors here or take a screengrab so you can plan the quickest booth route.
Find a quiet corner
Just kidding, there aren’t really any quiet corners. BUT... there are moments of relative peace to be found, be it watching a performance in Grandview Park, or sitting on the patio of one of the many lively Commercial Drive cafés and restaurants. And, if you find yourself at Fifth Avenue, indulge in the “Italian corner” – a one-stop shop for festivalgoers, offering a full Italian experience of music, displays and even more food. There are also activities for children, including Whitecaps and BMO Human Foosball, and a Car2Go lounge for members.
Take a chance
Rome is pretty darn romantic, but Paris will always be the City of Love. Purchase a raffle ticket at one of the three Italian Day raffle stations (Grandview Park, 2nd Avenue and Da Vinci Travel) for your chance to win a trip for two from Vancouver to Rome, or a trip for two from Vancouver to Paris, courtesy of Air France. See italianday.ca for more raffle and prizing details.
Don't rush
It isn’t a race, so take the time to make memories. Chat with the booth vendors, sign up for community groups, draw with chalk, sample more street food, listen to the music and people watch in the piazzas. Trust me. If you just blitz madly from block to block without stopping to savour the moment, you’re missing the entire dolce vita of the event.
