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Fifth annual Piazza Day: From polenta to pizza to pasta necklaces

Sisters of Colombo celebrate 90 years in the community

Pizza, gelato and a host of specialty baked goods are ready and waiting for Saturday at the Piazza Colombo.

Starting at 11 a.m., both the men’s lodge and the Sisters of Colombo are hosting the fifth annual Piazza Day and Carmen Davis, member of the sisters, says there are plenty of activities planned for the community.

“We’ve got sausages, polenta, pizza from the Rustic Crust, tons of wonderful italian baked goods, gelato they brought in from Mario’s Gelato in Vancouver, and speciality coffee,” she said. “It has been confirmed that we have Roland Perry, Terry Mandolin, Ray Tenisci and Friends providing live music during the event.”

For the kids, Davis says there are going to be crafts and face-painting.

“The kids always come out and make their pasta necklaces,” she said. “Basically, we just want to invite everyone to come out and enjoy Italian food and culture.”

For those who have had their fill of delicious Italian cooking and want to learn more about the history of Italian culture in Trail, Davis says that long-time lodge members, Buz and Selma Nutini will be in the archives room at the lodge from noon to 1 p.m.

“(They are) going to be greeting visitors and talking to them about our history and culture,” she said. “They can explain the different artifacts we have.”

This year, Davis says she is hoping for a big turnout and sunshine, just like in previous years.

“Of course, we are hoping for this beautiful weather we have been having,” she said. “We have managed, in other years, to have sunshine and we really hope it is a repeat performance. We have always had a great turnout from the community – families, friends, members and nonmembers. It has always been a really successful event.”

Along with celebrating the beautiful Piazza Colombo, the Sisters of Colombo will be celebrating 90 years of community involvement and volunteering.

“We are benevolent society originally formed to take care of our members,” said Davis. “Over the years, we have just grown. I think we have just over 400 members and we actively participate in the community.”

The sisters can be seen around town, whether it is serving tea and baking for the residents of Columbia View or holding raffles to raise money for the soup kitchen and families in need. To help celebrate the anniversary, the sisters will have their cookbooks for sale at Piazza Day.

“We weren’t going to do anything too special as far as 90 years goes,” said Davis, “We just want to celebrate with the community.”

The weekend event starts at the Piazza Colombo at 11 a.m. on Saturday and runs until 2 p.m. Tickets for food and drinks will be for sale at the Piazza during the event.