by Marc and Kathy Battilega

In the 1940's and 50's, the Gardener and Rancher's Association, an organization of Italian produce dealers and farmers in Portland, held an annual summer picnic called the Gardener's Picnic. As the years went by and this picnic ended, a group of Italian farmers in the area decided to carry on the tradition of an annual summer picnic. The group rented Cedarville Park in Gresham for the occasion and the picnic became a huge success.

This early group of farmers eventually formed Club Paesano and, in 1975, they purchased the park and named it Club Paesano Cedarville Park. The Annual Italian Community Picnic has carried on every year with music, food, and games for the whole family.

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Fonte: L'italo-Americano