Italian Walk of Fame

Italian Walk of Fame Announces 2009 Inductees

Stars of Achievement Presented at Unveiling Sept 7th, 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 honoured 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 Street .) at 1:30 pm on September 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.

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

“The Italian Walk of Fame will recognize and honor these six individuals of Italian origin who have demonstrated an exceptional level of accomplishment within their respective fields”, said Co-Founder Marisa Beaco Lang. “In our inaugural year, a portion of the proceeds raised from the awards gala will benefit the Abruzzo earthquake relief effort”, she added.

The Italian Walk of Fame will be located in the heart of downtown’s famed tourist destination known as “Little Italy”. “The Walk aims to celebrate the extraordinary achievements Italians have had and their significant contributions, both locally and globally, in all fields and industries”, said Bertucci, who grew up in Toronto’s “Little Italy” and went on to form the hit-making pop rock group Abraham’s Children. ”As home to the largest community of Italians outside of Italy, Toronto is the perfect choice for the IWOF”, he said.

Stars will be placed permanently and prominently 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 http://www.italianwalkoffame.com

Media are welcomed to photo opportunities and pre-unveiling interviews at noon Sept 7th at Coco Lezzone Restaurant (602 College St)

Photos

A few nights before the offical unveiling, wooded boards have been screwed into place to cover the 2009 inductees' stars from being seen too soon. 2009 Italian Walk of Fame inductees. Photo by HiMYSYED. Johnny Lombardi star unveiled, his son accepts on behalf of the Lombardi family.