San Rafael to celebrate 30th anniversary with Italian Sister City

The cities of San Rafael, CA and Lonate Pozzolo, Italy will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their Sister City relationship on August 5, 2018 at the Marin Bocce Federation in San Rafael. The barbecue and bocce ball event will feature representatives of both cities, a photo display, raffle, and tours of the nearby Lonatese Gardens.

More than 1,000 people from Lonate Pozzolo came to the Bay Area at the beginning of the 20th century, where many found work in San Rafael at what is now McNear Brick and Block. Though some returned to Italy, other immigrants settled in the area, and there are now thousands of Bay Area residents who are their descendants.

In the 1980’s, Il Gruppo Lonatese was established as a social heritage group by immigrants and their families, and in 1988 San Rafael and Lonate Pozzolo established an official Sister City relationship. “When you enter the Lonate Pozzolo city limits, you see a sign saying that the town is ’gemellata’—which means ‘twinned’—with San Rafael. And we’re thrilled that more than 20 Italians, including the mayor of Lonate Pozzolo, will be making the trip to the U.S. to celebrate with us on August 5,” says Jeanne Villa, President of Il Gruppo Lonatese.

The event begins at 12:30 with a sausage barbecue lunch, and includes beer/wine and other beverages, and bocce ball play until 7pm. Ticket Costs: $30 per adult/$15 per child under 13. For tickets, send a check made out to “Il Gruppo Lonatese” to Jeanne Villa, 30 Aronia Lane, Novato, CA 94945 by July 25. Include names of all attending.

The major sponsors of the event are Ghilotti Bros., Marin Bocce Federation and Prandi Property Management. Proceeds of the event support the maintenance of the Lonatese Gardens and the Gruppo Lonatese Scholarships.