听
The eighth annual 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 鈥檌tes from further afield) won鈥檛 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鈥檚 my advice.
听
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鈥檙e up against seasoned sidewalk standers. Latecomers: pace yourselves 鈥� pick two or three key lines and be prepared to wait. Oh, and bring snacks; no one wants to see you hangry.
听
Know before you go
If you鈥檙e a planner, like me, print out the list of all the participating vendors or take a screengrab so you can plan the quickest booth route.
听
Find a quiet corner
Just kidding, there aren鈥檛 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 caf茅s and restaurants. And, if you find yourself at Fifth Avenue, indulge in the 鈥溾�� 鈥� 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.
听
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 麻豆传媒映画to Rome, or a trip for two from 麻豆传媒映画to Paris, courtesy of Air France. See for more raffle and prizing details.
听
Don't rush
It isn鈥檛 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鈥檙e missing the entire dolce vita of the event.听
