Che bel sogno. . . what a beautiful dream.

Back in the early 1990s, the thought of celebrating San Diego's rich Sicilian heritage was just a dream for Mario Cefalu. A native of Portocello, Sicily, Mario emigrated to the United States and soon made his mark on San Diego by opening Soluntos Bakery in Little Italy. His bread and pastries, created in the Sicilian tradition he learned as a young man, filled a void in the local culinary scene and remain popular to this day. His is one of the longest-running establishments on India Street in the heart of Little Italy.

But overseeing a thriving business wasn't enough for Mario. He yearned to recreate some of the traditions of his native Sicily on the shores of San Diego. The Little Italy neighborhood had been home for generations of Sicilian Americans, most of whom worked in the local tuna fishing industry until its decline in the 1970s. The Sicilian spirit still remained in the community, although many of the original families were forced to leave the neighborhood when I-5 dissected the region and Little Italy seemed to be no more....

Though it was no longer the same community, Mario and his bakery continued through the "dark ages" of the neighborhood's history. However, though they may have moved to other areas of town, Little Italy's former residents did not forget their home. Our Lady of the Rosary Church, like a beacon in a stormy sea, provided a place of refuge and peace and allowed the community to continue its Old World traditions. They still came to Mass on Sunday and they continued to buy bread and pastries at Mario's bakery, groceries from Mona Lisa, and pasta at Assenti's...Though the neighborhood was a shadow of its former self, it still contained the soul of the Italian and Sicilian immigrants.

Then came the early '90s and with it, a glimmer of hope for Little Italy. It would take some 15 years of effort on the part of the Little Italy Association to transform the community from urban blight to the thriving, colorful, urban-chic neighborhood it is today. About the time plans were starting to be laid for the future of the neighborhood, Mario wanted to add his own contribution to help in the process and keep traditions alive. . .a Sicilian Festival on India Street.

In 1993, the first Sicilian Festival was born. Mario received permits to close down a block of India Street for this first-ever street festival in Little Italy. A small stage was erected and the Roman Holiday band, in its first year of formation, provided the music for the event. Sicilian food was served and a few vendors sold their wares. Though the crowd was small, a good time was definitely had by all.

The rest is history. The Sicilian Festival has grown in size and scope, providing a wonderful opportunity each year to celebrate the food, music, art, and tradition brought to San Diego by Sicilian immigrants.
Thousands of visitors are expected to attend this year's Festa.

Congratulations, Mario, on the fulfillment of your dream!

Giovanna DiBona