TORONTO, August 19, 2009. Co-founders Jimi Bertucci and Marisa Beaco Lang of the world’s first Italian Walk of Fame (IWOF) are delighted to announce those recipients being honored with stars on September 7, 2009 in Toronto, Canada. The unveiling ceremonies will take place in Toronto’s “Little Italy” in front of the CHIN Building (622 College St.) at 1:30 pm on Sept 7, 2009. A gala awards dinner will follow later that day at the Riviera Parque Banquet & Convention Centre in Vaughan (2800 Highway 7 West) at 6:00 pm.
When deciding on where exactly to place the Stars it made sense to choose the city of Toronto, Canada. Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto has the largest population of Italians outside of Italy and is, therefore, the perfect city to host this celebration. We hope that its establishment will not only educate but also inspire those who visit it. And so, it is with great personal pride that I introduce the Italian Walk of Fame to you.
Stars of achievement will be presented to:
Giancarlo Giannini – Internationally Acclaimed Academy-Award Nominated Actor
Phil Esposito – Hockey Legend and Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee
Johnny Lombardi – Pioneer Broadcaster and Community Leader
Rudy Bratty – Real Estate Developer, Described as “The Man who Built Toronto”
Julian Fantino – Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police
Connie Francis – “America?s Sweetheart of Song” and International Best-Selling Artist
Stars will be placed permanently in the sidewalk in “Little Italy” and will be unveiled annually during a red carpet ceremony followed by a gala awards dinner.
Tickets for the Gala Awards dinner following the unveiling are available at www. italianwalkoffame.com