By Alana Mitchelson
IT was a full-house at St John the Baptist Church for the Saint Sofia Festival Mass ceremony.
Kooweerup was brought to life on Sunday 30 October as a procession guided the statue of Saint Sofia around the township and returned to the church grounds for a fiesta.
Festival co-organiser Nella Bertuna said the homemade Italian barbecued sausages proved to be popular.
She said a number of people from Sortino in Sicily had arrived in Australia during the 1940s and ’50s, including her parents Raffaele and Maria Bombaci, who wanted to continue the festival tradition to honour the patron Saint of Sortino.
“The raffle was drawn and Frank and Lucia Mirabilio from Melbourne won the calf donated by the Buccheri family,” Ms Bertuna said.
“Second prize went to Sam Reale and third to Vince from Red Cherries.”
Donated vegetables, fruit, cakes, cheese and asparagus were auctioned off in the afternoon.
Entertainment from Bellini Brass Band and Something To Talk About was enjoyed, with a mixture of Italian traditional favourites and songs in English.
A piano accordionist also mingled with the crowd.
Ms Bertuna said next year’s festival would be held on Sunday 29 October.
