{"id":120614,"date":"2015-09-15T23:37:33","date_gmt":"2015-09-15T13:37:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=120614"},"modified":"2020-11-16T21:39:56","modified_gmt":"2020-11-16T11:39:56","slug":"italian-festival-draws-bumper-crowd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2015\/09\/15\/italian-festival-draws-bumper-crowd\/","title":{"rendered":"Italian Festival Draws Bumper Crowd"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Moffatdale Ridge owner Jason Kinsella said he was “blown away” at the big roll-up to Saturday’s inaugural Italian Festival, which included seven busloads from as far afield as Lismore and Redlands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

September 15, 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n

Between 700 and 800 people travelled to Moffatdale Ridge on Saturday to take part in the South Burnett’s first-ever Italian Festival.<\/p>\n

Ridge owner Jason Kinsella said he’s still not certain exactly how many patrons came to the event because guests arrived and left throughout the day.<\/p>\n

“But our helpers on the front gate told me we’d reached 500 about 90 minutes after opening time at 9:30am,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Seven busloads of visitors accounted for a big part of that, but people just kept pouring in all day long.”<\/p>\n

The Italian Festival marked the welcome return of big outdoor family events at the Tuscan-themed winery. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Guests were treated to operatic favourites performed by Simone Nicole; upbeat Italian pop by Tuscan Feast regular Fortunato Isgro; and jazz and blues numbers from the recently formed Murgon Community Band led by Moffatdale Ridge’s saxophonist Tom McKenzie.<\/p>\n

They could also chow down on Italian foods like cannoli, sausages and pizza alongside Moffatdale Ridge’s award-winning wines – including the new, silver medal-winning 2015 Verdelho – or try two different premium Italian beers that were on offer.<\/p>\n

There were also immaculately restored classic Italian sports cars to view in the parking lot, and games of bocce (Italian bowls) to while away the time.<\/p>\n

A few guests who really wanted to get into the spirit of the day turned up in traditional Italian dress to be in the running for prize giveaways; while others with a more adventurous bent took part in a pasta-eating competition late in the afternoon.<\/p>\n

Most guests brought their own seating to set up on the Ridge’s lawns, take in the entertainment and simply relax in the pleasant Spring weather.<\/p>\n

But for those who felt like dancing – and that was quite a few as the day progressed – a portable dance floor set up below the cellar door’s balcony proved popular.<\/p>\n

Jason said he was “blown away” by the attendance figures but very pleased so many guests appeared to be enjoying themselves.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Everyone is very well-behaved and seem to be having fun,” he said.<\/p>\n

“This is what our winery is all about and honestly, I’m chuffed!”<\/p>\n

The Festival combined the best of several things that have proven popular at the winery over the last few years.<\/p>\n

Guests who enjoyed the Opera On The Lawn days which the Ridge held in 2010, 2011 and 2013 would have found a lot to like with Simone Nicole’s stunning performance.<\/p>\n

Most were probably unaware the multi-talented cabaret performer represented Australia at the annual World Championship of Performing Arts in Los Angeles just four years ago, bringing home 3 gold and 2 silver medals.<\/p>\n

But others who’d visited Moffatdale Ridge for one of their popular Tuscan Feasts, held monthly and usually booked out a year in advance, were probably well aware of Fortunato Isgro’s prodigious talents, and also Tom McKenzie’s.<\/p>\n

Fortunato has been a regular entertainer at Tuscan Feasts for many years, and saxophonist Tom has been providing mellow background music for weekend lunches just as long.<\/p>\n

The main question most guests asked Jason, wife Sue and son Geoffrey on Saturday was: “Will you be doing this again next year?”<\/p>\n

The answer, Jason said, was a definite yes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Katrina Forrest and Gympie Regional Council Cr Ray Currie were having a fun day away from work<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Energetic Italian entertainer Fortunato Isgro performed on stage with his band as well as solo on the lawn<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Simone Nicole’s electrifying renditions of classical opera favourites kept the audience rivetted to their seats<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Belinda Gail and Christine Maree, from Kingaroy, dressed in traditional Italian costume for the day<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Graham Coombe, Moffatdale Ridge owner Sue Kinsella and Paul Otto from Wide Bay Transit share a joke outside the cellar door<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Many guests danced on a temporary dancefloor near the cellar door; but others took to the lawns as the day progressed<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>
Kingaroy’s Angelique Arden, who came with a party from St Mary’s Catholic College, chats with Brisbane’s
Owen Money<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Guitarist Claudio and drummer Stan helped Fortunato deliver a lively performance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cellar door assistants Natalie Prenol, from Kingaroy, and Michaela Graaf, Wondai, took a quick breather after a hectic day behind the bar; Michaela later won the pasta-eating competition<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
What pasta does to you … Katherine Morris, sister Rachael and friend Rosie Van Der Weem prepare for the pasta-eating competition …<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
.. and how they looked after a few minutes of an all-out-assault on bowls of spaghetti bolognese (Katherine ran a close second to winner Michaela Graaf)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Between 700 and 800 people travelled to Moffatdale Ridge for the South Burnett’s first-ever Italian Festival<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":120654,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3,10],"tags":[123,1130,46],"yoast_head":"\nItalian Festival Draws Bumper Crowd - southburnett.com.au<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Between 700 and 800 people travelled to Moffatdale Ridge on Saturday to take part in the South Burnett's first-ever Italian Festival.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2015\/09\/15\/italian-festival-draws-bumper-crowd\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Italian Festival Draws Bumper Crowd - 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