By Casey Neill
All things Italy are descending on Healesville and Warburton.
The Ciao Yarra Valley Ciao event will culminate in the Festa di via Verde in Healesville on Saturday 1 December from noon to 6pm.
There’ll be roving musicians and performers, bocce and tomato throwing competitions, plenty of pasta and more.
Festival-goers can wave a flag to welcome the classic cars that arrive during Targa Florio.
The Targa Florio Australian Tribute is an event for classic cars produced in the years between 1907 and 1976.
Cars will compete over four days on Victoria’s open roads at regulated speed.
As part of the event, there will be 56 trials across the four days, with day four competing in the Yarra Valley.
The weekend before, on 24 and 25 November, the Giro Della Donna cycling event will return to Warburton.
The course is unique in terms of the amount of climbing, the 13km of gravel, and the true-mountain summit finish.
On Saturday there’ll be a village expo area at the Warburton Golf Club, a 65km Gravel Giro, kids’ entertainment, a VIP dinner and entertainment in the village.
On the Sunday will be the 125km Giro Della Donna, and entertainment in the village.
Event spokesperson Brook Powell said the Ciao Yarra Valley Ciao event is piggybacking on these two events with Italian flavour.
“You can’t get to the Targa Florio in Italy anymore. It’s fully subscribed,” she said.
“In the Yarra Valley there are strong connections with the Italian culture.”
She pointed to berry farmers, brewers and orchardists.
“The Italians have really helped mould our food and wine culture here,” Ms Powell said.
Check visityarravalley.com.au/ciao-yarra-valley-ciao for more event details.
