A favourite community event celebrating Italian culture in the City of Trail returns to the Gulch on Saturday.
Piazza Day at the Colombo Lodge will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., bringing plenty of food, family fun, and entertainment to the Rossland Avenue venue.
This special daytime event has been on hiatus for eight years, so to commemorate their 100th anniversary, Sorelle Colombo decided this year is the perfect time to bring Piazza Day back with gusto.
Yes, the men’s lodge will be there: Fratelli Colombo will be serving up sizzling Italian sausages and polenta smothered in Colombo’s buono (tasty) sauce, as well as slices of pizza alongside Rustic Crust, who will also be selling gelato in a variety of scrumptious flavours.
But, sorry gents — the star of the show will be the Sorelle’s Italian treats, handmade in the lodge’s kitchen by some very talented members or donated by others.
The baking includes traditional scalilli, crostilli, peaches, pizzelle, and assorted biscotti.
“We will have a tent set up at the entrance to the piazza where you can buy tickets to purchase food,” says Carmen Davis, first vice presidentessa.
“We will also be selling our Sorelle cookbooks and giving out colored bead necklaces, mini Italian flags, and balloons.”
Tickets for the Sorelle’s Gala Banquet and Dance in October will also be available for purchase.
In addition, there will be Italian music plus activities and games to keep the bambinos and bambinas busy.
Guests are welcome to bring their own chairs or blankets to sit in the piazza park and enjoy their lunch.
Crews Control Flagging will be slowing traffic for the duration of Piazza Day, allowing event-goers to safely cross the highway.
Sorelle and Fratelli Colombo held their first “Colombo Piazza Day” on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010.
Piazza Day became an annual event every September until 2016.
About the Sorelle
Sorelle Colombo officially formed as a benevolent society on Sunday, Feb. 3, 1924.
For the past 100 years, the Sisters (Sorelle) of Colombo have worked ardently to preserve and promote their Italian heritage and culture through social activities and special events.
The sisterhood has seen its numbers fluctuate over time, yet today, membership remains strong at around 400.
The Sorelle share the Colombo Lodge with the men’s group, assisting with hall renovations, maintaining archives, and partnering on events like the Spaghettata at Silver City Days and Piazza Day.
There is always much to do, and the membership’s ongoing commitment and dedication will keep the Sorelle going strong well into the future.
“We are really passionate — not just about the food, but also about our heritage and culture and sharing that,” Davis adds.
“Over the years, we’ve done a number of things to bring our culture forward, and that’s what we are trying to do with the events we are hosting this year.”
