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The San Diego Traveler

Sicilian Festival Taking Over the Streets of Little Italy

by Carole A. Lane on May 12th, 2008

If you’re ready for some great food, music and fun, head down to Little Italy on Sunday (May 18) for Festa Siciliana!

See one of the great crowd-pleasers of this event, a festive Sicilian Flag Procession leading all through the streets of San Diego’s Little Italy (as seen in the beginning of this video).

Aaron Caruso This 15th annual Italian celebration will feature Aaron Caruso as this year’s headliner. Other exciting thematic entertainment includes:

  • Z-Bop
  • Roman Holiday Ensemble
  • Balboa Park Italian Dance Troupe
  • The Peter Pavone Ensemble
  • Judy Ciotta and Her Sicilian Friends
  • The Sicilian Band
  • Salvatore Marchese in Concert
  • Cent’Anni
  • Al Marchese & the Diplomats of Jazz
  • Sicilian Swing
  • The Sinatra Guy
  • The Pizarro Brothers
  • Jim Bianchi and his Ensemble
  • Charles Fortunato
  • Carmello

Photo by RoebotVendors will offer everything from Italian tiles, artwork, and apparel to some of the best food you’ll find in San Diego.

Be sure to include a visit to the Sicilian Cultural Center (at India and Beech), which will feature a wide variety of artists and historians, all dedicated to the preservation of Sicilian and Italian culture.

New this year are the addition of a Wine Grotto, and a recreation of an Old World Sicilian Village, where you’ll see a traditional Sicilian Carretta, fishermen repairing their nets, an authentic produce cart filled with traditional Sicilian vegetables, Renaissance musicians, artists and artisans, and more…..

Taste of Little Italy San Diego

If you’d like to warm up your gastronomical senses before the festa, a Taste of Little Italy will be held Wednesday evening (May 14), but you must already have tickets to attend this event - it’s sold out!

Photo #1 credit: Aaron Caruso courtesy www.aaroncaruso.com

Photo #2 credit: Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/roebot/2116741605/

Click here for more photos of past festivals.

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POSTED IN: Art, Events, Family Fun, Food & Beverage, Music, Performing Arts - Theater & Dance

5 opinions for Sicilian Festival Taking Over the Streets of Little Italy

  • Kim Poulin
    May 13, 2008 at 3:30 pm

    Carole
    Since my mom’s family is from Palermo I would be all over this festival–especially the wine grotto

  • Karina
    May 15, 2008 at 8:31 pm

    My husband and I take our kids to this festa each year. They have a great kids area with rides and games, and lots of fun music. My little girl loves to dance the tarantella with the bands on stage. Great family event. And the food is to die for. Best yet, it’s free so we can spend some money on kids rides and cannolli!

  • Nino
    May 16, 2008 at 12:25 pm

    If you just come for an hour, make sure you hear Aaron Caruso sing at 3 pm. This guy will blow you away. I took my parents to see him perform in New York, and it moved them to tears. He sounds like Mario Lanza, for those of you (my parents) who remember that great tenor. Even if you don’t, his act is worth the (free) admission price! Nino

  • Carole A. Lane
    May 16, 2008 at 3:04 pm

    Thanks, Karina. It looks like a lot of fun, and you’ve got my mouth watering already!

  • Carole A. Lane
    May 16, 2008 at 3:06 pm

    Thanks, Nino. For those of you who can’t make it to Little Italy, you can hear a bit of Aaron Caruso at http://www.aaroncaruso.com/music.html.

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