Footy, salami and snags at Mareeba

| Gail Sedorkin

MAREEBA will be front and centre of the Cairns Italian Festival in August when the town hosts two events of the 17-day festival that features a host of wonderful opportunities to embrace and share Italian culture.

Mareeba will be the place to be on the final weekend of the festival, when it hosts a new event, the Moriconi-Bomben Soccer Cup, on Saturday August 5, and the final event, the Salami and Sausages Festa, on Sunday August 6.

The soccer event is a tribute to Alfio Moriconi (deceased) from the Mareeba Football Club and John Bomben from Leichhardt Football Club, who both devoted a lifetime of passion to their respective clubs which were well-known rivals who fought out many battles on the soccer field over the years.

The special Moriconi-Bomben Soccer Cup is a tribute to honour these two Italians who both have dedicated so much to the game in Far North Queensland.

Game times at Lindsay Australia Stadium, Mareeba are: Mareeba United vs Leichhardt under 18, kickoff 1.30pm, Mareeba United vs Leichhardt under 23, kick-off 3.30pm, Mareeba United vs Leichhardt over 45, kick-off 5.30pm and Mareeba United vs Leichhardt QPL men’s, kick-off 7pm.

The second Mareeba Salami and

Sausages Festa promises to seek out the best homemade salami and sausages in the region, with several awards to be presented and the overall winner up for a $2000 cash prize.

Sponsored by Borgo Salumi, the event features a panel of five expert judges who will rate each entry out of 20 in the areas of taste, aroma, density and colour.

Some of Australia’s best artisan salami and sausage makers will be contesting to take out the prestigious awards and great prize money on offer. You will also get the opportunity to meet those competing on the day, and you never know – you may even learn some of their secrets.

There will be a panel of five expert judges who will decide which is the best homemade salami and sausage in the Festa. There will be several awards with our expert judging panel rating each entry out of 20 in the areas of taste, aroma, density and colour.

A delicious homemade Italian lunch and dessert will be provided by the Mareeba International Club with live Italian music and comedy by duo Attori as entertainment.

The selection of dishes on the menu includes Italian antipasto, Fusilli pasta with ragu, and, of course, a selection of Italian sweets. Tickets are already on sale at www.cairnsitalianfestival.com.au or can be bought on the day at the door.

Feast Of The Three Saints

The Feast of the Three Saints Committee is proud to support the Cairns Italian Festival in 2023!

We look forward to sharing with you all some of the traditional foods from the Italian region of Sicily. Come and enjoy the festivities and our Sicilian fare at Fogarty Park on Saturday 29 July from 10 am. Look out for our stall, where you will find traditional home-made Cannoli, handmade Arancini, and Lemon Granita also made the traditional way, on site. Just to name a few of our delicacies on offer.