Italfest returns to Mississauga with Italian culture, tradition and community celebration

Joe Volpe August 24, 2026

MISSISSAUGA – Mississauga has become one of those “go to” places in the summer for its festivals. This last weekend it was thanks to the Italfest. And every year there is something new and enticing.

Frank Stendardo, organizer and promoter par excellence must stay awake nights for the entire year to guarantee atmosphere, variety, music, food, games for all ages, celebrities and good company. He is Laziale… a proud Ciociaro, doing his best to introduce and highlight the historic achievements generated by traditions from his native part of Italy and transferred to the Canadian context their contributions have so enriched. It is not an exercise from which humility should flow.

As in every year, he and his team highlight another Italian region to accredit the contributions of Italians from everywhere to Mississauga. This year, their special guests were members of a delegation from Lombardia, an economic, cultural and fashion powerhouse on the world stage.

Thanks in part to the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Ontario (Marco Zambon, Director), I dare say among the stars this year were the Lamborghini on display to feast the eyes of young and old. Imagine securing the test driver of the original Lambo, Valentino Balboni, as a special guest.

One imagines that the newly installed Consul-General from Italy, Andrea Bertozzi, surrounded by the usual honour guard of Carabinieri, Bersaglieri, Alpini and Polizia di Stato must have been impressed by the warmth extended him from those in attendance.

It has become a custom to invite and receive such dignitaries in Celebration Square at the behest of Mississauga’s Italian Community. Well done.

Here below is a photogallery from the event