Girth of a grape stomper (includes pix gallery)

Mike Anthony has likely had to handle a lot gripes in his three years as a municipal politician.

But it was grapes Anthony was dealing with Saturday night at the Davedi Club, and the North Bay city councillor used his considerable heft to mash green and red clusters into runny submission.

Anthony was one of many participants in the club’s annual grape stomping festival, wearing a Roman-style toga to no doubt add a bacchanalian flavour to the affair.

Accompanied by the strains of the famous Italian novelty song La Luna Mezzo Mare, Anthony displayed some fine technique.

He likely picked it up from North Bay's Sam Scarfone, who also stomped Saturday night, and purports to be the best grape stomper Calabria has ever produced.

When in Rome
Hub Fedeli, organizer of the festival, told baytoday.ca the stomping box had been reinforced this year.

Good thing too, said Anthony, who's seeking re-election.

“Man, I just kept trying not to fall down. Because when that 300 pounds goes down, it’s going to take more than a few Davedi Club members to get me back up.”

During last year’s grape stomp Anthony wore a tall pair of gumboots.

“This year I thought I’d do it the traditional way, really traditional,” said Anthony, a Davedi Club member although he’s not Italian.

"When in Rome do as the Romans do baby, barefoot and toga all the way!”

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith kept her feet clean, opting for boots, while mayoral candidate Vic Fedeli, council candidate Dave Mendicino and others dropped their socks and let skin touch skins.