More than 150 cars and a smattering of motorcycles representing most Italian marques converged on Ottawa’s Little Italy for the annual Italian Car Parade on 18 June 18.
This popular event of Italian Week is in its 32nd year sponsored by Frank’s Auto Centre and more recently the Italian Car Club of Ottawa. The event continues to grow from its origins of a few friends getting together to display their cars to its current size. The under 1000cc Corral is a crowd favourite and has increased in popularity owing much to the reintroduction this year of the first new Fiat offering (Fiat 500) in Canada since 1994.
As in past years the crowd comes alive when the Ferrari contingent passes. Following the parade a speed zone is set up on a city street and the Ferraris are allowed to spread their wings.
Participants come from many parts of Ontario and there is a good representation from the Montreal area. As a result, the parade has become only the centrepiece of a three day event which includes tours of local points of interest, group dining and car displays.
Planning is already underway for the 2012 iteration, see the ICCO website for details.
James Elliott is a former Editor of Classic & Sports Car