Italian-Americans and immigrants from Italy began arriving in California in 1849. Like other groups, they were lured by the promise of California’s gold fields. Many stayed in San Joaquin County, farming the fertile land for generations. In 2012, several local Italian-American organizations decided it was time to celebrate the contributions the county’s Italian-Americans have made during that time.

“There’s a Greek festival; there’s all kinds of festivals,” Bill Trezza remembers the groups thinking. “There’re so many Italians in the Lodi and Stockton area, why don’t we have an Italian festival?”The clubs had never collaborated before, but they had hosted dinners, picnics and other events for their members. So, in 2012, they hosted the first Festa Italiana!