In 1994, a dream came to fruition. In the month of October, 15 years ago, the Little Italy community opened its streets to not only San Diego residents, but the many other communities throughout the nation. The Little Italy Association and a small group of community members organized a festival that celebrated Italian culture not only in the entertainment provided, on the one stage, but the types of vendors that were allowed to display their wares along India Street. Now, the Little Italy Festa is known to be one of the largest single-day Italian American festivals West of the Mississippi. The Little Italy community now welcomes over 100,000 attendees with the tantalizing smells of Italian sausage and the glamour of the Italian culture, music & art. Alongside the growth of this Fall community event, the Little Italy neighborhood has embraced the charm of our old community and welcomed the fresh urban mixed-use developments that have sprouted up throughout Little Italy’s fifty-six square blocks. Through the growth and recognition of San Diego’s, very own, Little Italy, we have been able to expand and develop new events. These events were not only established to bring others to Little Italy, but to provide entertainment and shopping for the over 1,500 residents and property owners that call Little Italy home. The Little Italy Association Board of Directors and Staff work year-round to bring you such events as: Carnevale, ArtWalk, the State of the Neighborhood Dinner, the Italian Motor Sport Show, Opera Nights and the Holiday Tree Lighting. Some of the other wonderful events on the horizon are: Mercato Sabato - Farmer’s Market held every Saturday and a Summer Film Festival in 2006. Ciao! Steven J. Galasso President of the Board Little Italy Association