The Ciao Yarra Valley Ciao festival is returning to the Yarra Valley to celebrate the region’s rich Italian heritage, thanks to support from the Victorian Government.
The festival will showcase the best Italian food, wine, entertainment and cars in themed events across the Yarra Valley region over two weeks in November 2019, backed by the Victorian Government’s $20 million Regional Events Fund.
Incorporating 2019’s theme of Eat, Drink, Move, the festival will kick off in Healesville with the Festa di via Verde (Green Street Festival), coinciding with the iconic Targa Florio Australian Tribute motor car race.
The Festa di via Verde program will include music, dance, children’s activities, classic car displays and alfresco dining beneath the trees of Healesville’s main street.
The following weekend, Warburton will host the two-day Italian cycling race, the Giro della Donna, which will also incorporate a round of the National Road Series.
Festival-goers will enjoy a family bike ride event hosted on the Lilydale-Warburton Trail, and have the opportunity to sample the best of Yarra Valley food and wine through dinners and tastings hosted by local wineries, farms and artisanal producers.
Tourism is a vital industry for the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, the region welcoming 5.5 million international and domestic visitors in the year ending September 2018.
These impressive figures come off the back of the Victorian Government’s investment in tourism which have helped deliver more than 180 events across regional Victoria, attracting visitors and boosting local jobs.
The Ciao Yarra Valley Ciao festival will be held from 15 November-1 December 2019.
Source: Vic Government