The festa is a culmination of the Hepburn area’s proud heritage.

The first festa was staged in 1993 as a community initiative to encourage the promotion of the area’s rich roots.

Festa committee president Ian Head said this year’s event would stay true to the history of the town.

He said at the official launch of the program last week more than 30 people gathered to discuss the possibilities of the festa.

The festival will run from Wednesday, November 12, to Sunday, November 16.

Mr Head said the festival concentrated on ‘‘wine, food, art, history, culture and heritage.’’

He said the festival had developed into a well-established tradition for many Hepburn Spring’s locals and out-of-town visitors.

He said the festival had a strong following in the region as many Swiss and Italian settlers entered the region in the mid-19th century.

He said many people settled in the Hepburn area and their descendants remained.

‘‘There are a large number of people involved in the five-day festival,’’ Mr Head said.

‘‘We have more than 10,000 people attend the festa.

‘‘Many Swiss and Italian social clubs wear their national costume to our parade.’’

He said for the opening and closing parades children from nearby schools are creating individual lanterns.

He said the parades marched to Hepburn Springs reserve.

Mr Head said  the festa also hosts other activities.

‘‘We have open gardens over the weekend days, we have a landscape art prize and countless food and wine events,’’ he said.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit swissitalianfesta.com