Your Festa d’Italia questions answered!
The wait is almost over! The City of Vaughan’s highly anticipated, first ever Festa d’Italia, presented by Pizza Nova, is just a few days away.
Here’s what you need to know to prepare for a full day of festivities and fun:
When and where?
This celebration of Italian culture and heritage is on Sunday, June 1 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Boyd Conservation Park (8739 Islington Ave.).
What’s the best way to get there?
Great question. Parking at Boyd Conservation Park is very limited. With that in mind, we have taken steps to make it as easy as possible to get to and from the event. FREE shuttles will run on a continuous loop throughout the day starting at 10 a.m. so you can come and go at any time.
This all-day service to Boyd Conservation Park and back will operate from the following locations:
- Al Palladini Community Centre (9201 Islington Ave.)
- Chancellor Community Centre (350 Ansley Grove Rd.)
- Dufferin Clark Community Centre (1441 Clark Ave. W.)
- Father E. Bulfon Community Centre (8141 Martin Grove Rd.)
- Vaughan City Hall (2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.)
- VMC Library (200 Apple Mill Rd.) *paid parking
- Woodbridge Library (150 Woodbridge Ave.) *limited free parking and paid on-street parking
Shuttle schedule times for each location are posted online at vaughan.ca/festa. Please note, they are approximate and may change. The last shuttle bus pickup from all locations going to Boyd Conservation Park is 6:30 p.m. ahead of I Cugini di Campagna’s final headline performance at 7 p.m.!
An accessible parking lot with limited spots is available and is just a short walk from the event site.
Additional parking is available at the following lots within walking distance to some of the shuttle locations:
- Emily Carr Secondary School – 4901 Rutherford Rd.
- Woodbridge Pool and Memorial Arena – 5020 Hwy 7
- Woodbridge Public School – 60 Burwick Ave.
Is the event free?
Absolutely! Entrance to Festa d’Italia is FREE, as is the shuttle service to and from the event. Plus, we have tons of amazing vendors lined up in a Food Zone and Marketplace that will be selling food and other items.
Will there be vendors?
Yes, lots of them! We are excited to have a Food Zone with 26 local food trucks and vendors as well as a Marketplace with vendor booths selling and showcasing a variety of products and services. This is a great way to support our ‘Vaughan Strong. Support Canadian’ campaign designed to back the local economy in response to U.S. tariffs. Some vendors will accept credit cards, others cash. Please bring cash with you as there isn’t an ATM on site. A list of vendors is available at vaughan.ca/festa.
Is the shuttle stroller and wheelchair friendly?
We will be using both school and YRT buses. While not a Wheel-Trans service, YRT shuttle buses are accessible and will run approximately every hour to accommodate attendees. The YRT buses also have space for strollers.
Of note, the festival is fully wheelchair accessible, including pathways, seating areas and restrooms.
What are some of the event highlights?
There will be something for everyone at this family-friendly event with spectacular music, entertainment, art, food and activities, including:
- Official welcome from Mayor Steven Del Duca and Members of Council
- Headline performances by I Cugini di Campagna at 12:45 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- A breathtaking tribute to Andrea Bocelli
- Delicious eats from Pizza Nova and a variety of local vendors
- A cannoli-eating competition
- Arts and crafts, and family activities
- Traditional Italian dances
- Music by DJ Danny D, Mario Polsinelli, Bruno Monardo and Joee
- Emcees Tony Monaco from Z103.5 Radio and Giuseppe the MC
- Local Italian artists
- And SO much more
What’s the bathroom situation?
Portable washrooms, including accessible washrooms, will be available on site.
Can I bring my dog?
Pets are welcome – but keep them on a leash at all times!
What about blankets and chairs?
Feel free to bring chairs and blankets to make your experience more comfortable. Tents, canopies and barbecues are not permitted in the event site as it must remain fully visible and accessible for guests of all ages. We also recommend you bring sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes and your appetite for some delicious Italian food!
To learn more, visit vaughan.ca/festa.
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