A “Festa di Piazza”, or street party, was organised by the Italian Consulate in Los Angeles to celebrate Italian National and Italian Republic Day. The event included a sports competition, in the form of a marathon involving over 1000 runners, in a convivial atmosphere and with authentically Italian food. The festival took place at San Pedro, the port of Los Angeles. It opened with the first edition of the LA Italy Run, covering five kilometres and open to all.
“It’s always been my dream to celebrate our Republic Day with a street party”, said the Consul, Silvia Chiave, who conceived of the initiative. “This event brought together many elements: from sport to sustainability; it brought families together, it was an event for everyone, truly a dream come true”. And with the success of this first edition, thoughts are already turning to the future. “We didn’t expect such a large turnout, because this was the first time. The project has attracted so many people. Now we want to organise it each year and make it grow”, was the Consul’s assurance.
In addition to runners the party attracted hundreds of people, families and children, and not just members of the Italian-American community. Participants flocked to the stands selling Sicilian arancini, cakes, pizza, ice cream and wine. The party was also the occasion chosen to announce that here, where in the 1950s fishing communities from Sicily and Ischia first settled, work will soon begin on the construction of a new square that will become the new heart of San Pedro’s Little Italy.
