The City of Lodi is thrilled to be holding its fifth annual Festa Italiana! on Sunday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds – just a short drive for Brentwood residents. William “Bill” Trezza, president of Pacific Italian Alliance, a nonprofit organization involved in organizing the festival, describes the event as “a big party that gives Italians a chance to celebrate their culture, ethnicity and American-Italian heritage.”

Lodi’s Festa Italiana! began in 2012, when six Italian clubs in Stockton came together to develop a social event that would honor Italian culture and create an unforgettable day for friends and family. Realizing they enjoyed each other’s company, the clubs continued working together, and Festa Italiana! became an annual festival growing from over 1,000 people in its first year to over 3,000 when the festival was last held. Trezza expects this year’s event will attract an even larger crowd.