Get into the spirit of Italy at Festa Italiana, offered Sunday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds. This grand event brings the community together with the finest food, activities and entertainment of the Italian culture.

Renowned Italian Tenor Pasquale Esposito will once again dazzle the audience as headliner on the Morada Produce Main Stage. Nino, d’Italiano, the Steve Trucco Band and the Balliamo Dancers complete the line-up. Local entertainment will welcome festival attendees at the Benevenuti Stage and the Bambini Zone will delight little ones, with performances by Sparkles and Ravioli the clowns, marionettes and Italian Dance lessons on the Bambini Stage.

In addition to the live music, Festa offers delicious Italian food from a dozen Italian ‘chefs’, a Mercato Marketplace, cooking demonstrations, Italian art and history, bocce ball, salami toss, the automobili show, wine tasting, olive oil and local product tastings, and much more. The “Boss of the Sauce” contest is back, along with pizza pie tossing demonstrations.

Festa Italiana is a family-friendly event for all ages. You’ll get to taste food from the most esteemed Italian restaurants and chefs in the area, participate in authentic Italian activities and games and enjoy live music.

Tickets are $10 at the door, or $8 in advance online. Children 12 and under are admitted free with an adult. Festa Ticket Locations: Gian’s Deli - 2112 Pacific Ave., Stockton; SASS! Public Relations - 628 Lincoln Center, Stockton; Pietro’s Trattoria - 317 E. Kettleman, Lodi; Lodi Grape Festival Ground - 413 E. Lockeford St., Lodi; Bueno Italiano Cafe - 1110 W. Kettleman, Lodi; Rinaldi’s Market - 4625 Duncan Road, Linden; the Fruit Bowl - 8767 E. Waterloo Road, Stockton; Town and Country Cafe - 27 W. 10th St., Tracy. Visit festa-italiana.com for further event information.