‘A world of Italian charm’: Festa Italiana returns Sunday for its 11th year

Festa Italiana returns to Lodi this weekend for its 11th year, celebrating "all things Italian."

The one-day celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 8, at the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E. Lockeford St. This is the ninth year the festival has been held at the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, according to the Festa Italiana website.

The festival is considered the "premier signature event of four Central Valley Italian American clubs," including the Pacific Italian Alliance, Italian Athletic Club of Stockton, Central California School of Italian Language and Culture, and Liguri nel Mondo.

"Step into a world of Italian charm, where tradition, food, and festivity come together. Festa Italiana is more than just an event — it’s a celebration of heritage, family and the joy of living ‘la dolce vita,'" the Festa Italiana website states. "Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, each year we bring the sights, sounds and flavors of Italy to life, creating an unforgettable experience for all who join us."

The annual event is presented by the Sambado family.

Festa Italiana entertainment lineup

Entertainment this year includes headliner Pasquale Esposito on the Morada Produce Main Stage, sponsored by John and Maxine Ferraiolo.

Main stage schedule

• 10:30 a.m.: The Trucco Band
• 12 p.m.: Pasquale Esposito
• 2 p.m.: The Anthony “Nino” Lane Band

Benvenuti Stage schedule (sponsored by Lagorio Family of Companies)

• 10 a.m.: Stockton Italian Combo
• 2 p.m.: Bruno Cerri
• 3 p.m.: Nicolini Brothers

Bambini Stage schedule (sponsored by Dameron Hospital)

• 10 a.m.: Sparkles & Ravioli
• 10:30 a.m.: Bambini Dancers 
• 11:15 a.m.: Rhymosaurs
• 11:45 a.m.: Sparkles & Ravioli 
• 12:45 p.m.: Rhymosaurs
• 1:45 p.m.: Sparkles & Ravioli 
• 2:30 p.m.: Bambini Dancers and dance lessons
• 3:30 p.m.: Sparkles & Ravioli

Wine Pavillion Entertainment schedule (sponsored by Cortopassi Family Foundation)

• 11 a.m.: Balliamo Dancers
• 11:45 a.m.: Fest Accordion Guys
• 1 p.m.: Balliamo Dancers
• 1:30 p.m.: Balliamo Dancers
• 2:45 p.m.: Balliamo Dancers

Other entertainment around the festival includes chef demonstrations, bocce ball, salami toss, wine and product tasting, infiorata flower petal art, A Walk Through Local History (Historia di Famiglia), the Boss of the Sauce competition and more.

Festa Italiana tickets, admission

Tickets are $15 per person. Children 12 and younger get in free with an adult. Tickets can be purchased at participating locations or at the gate on Sunday.

Participating locations selling tickets:

• Genova Bakery, 749 N. Sierra Nevada St. in Stockton
• Gian's Deli, 2112 Pacific Ave. in Stockton
• Rinaldi's Market, 4625 Duncan Road in Linden
• SASS! Public Relations, 628 Lincoln Center in Stockton
• Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E. Lockeford St. in Lodi

Parking is also free, according to the Festa Italiana website.

To learn more about Festa Italiana, visit festa-italiana.com.

Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.