Its been 15 years since Rockford signed a Sister City agreement with Ferentino, Italy, but over 100 years of close ties have existed between the cities. This partnership celebrates the contributions of Italian Americans to Rockford and Ferentino’s importance in Rockford’s immigration history.

Rockford’s Italian Sister City program began with DeCastris and Giorgi family discussions here and abroad as a project of the Greater Rockford Italian American Association (GRIAA). In 2005, a committee formed and its many dedicated members met regularly to create and support a formal partnership.