Colorful Cinco De Mayo

Quintessential Mariachi music, flamenco beats, great food and entertainment! The 30^th Annual Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo promises great fun and much more.

To be held from 3^rd to 5^th May, 2013 in Old Town (the birthplace of San Diego); the Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican spirit, culture and history. Considered as the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration north of the border, this event is a window to the rich heritage, history and culture of Mexico.

Music and dance will fill the air at the 3-day extravaganza. Enjoy the flamenco beats, and the Norteno flairs – a genre of Mexican music. Not to forget the Mariachi music – the quintessential sound of Mexico.

Dating back to hundreds of years, Mariachi music celebrates the struggles, the joys and the pride of Mexican people. A typical Mariachi music band plays music using violins, trumpets, guitars, round-backed guitar called the vihuela and a Mexican folk harp.

Apart from music and dance, go and explore the museums, check out the specialty shops and buy souvenirs or unique items ranging from jewelry, handmade leather items and bric-a-brac typical of the Mexican culture.

Enjoy riding the stagecoach, chill out in the beer garden or sample tequila in the tequila sampling area.

As for food, you can try out authentic Mexican delicacies at any of the 20 restaurants in Old Town.

This three-day FREE festival guarantees a spectacular array of activities and entertainment that is sure to delight you and the entire family. If you want to experience great Mariachi music, sample Mexican tequila and savor authentic Mexican cuisine, then the Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo is the place to be in.

If you are coming on San Diego vacation with friends or family, you can include Cinco de Mayo event in your traveling plan.

For your convenience, stay in a hotel located close to Old Town. Regarded as a value price leader amongst budget hotels in San Diego, California Suites Hotel is located in the middle of San Diego from where Old Town and many other attractions are a stone’s throw away. From the hotel, you can commute easily to all these destinations and enjoy such colorful festivals to the maximum.

Being San Diego’s AAA rated San Diego hotel, California Suites Hotel makes your stay comfortable and memorable one with continental breakfast, Wireless Internet access, large warm swimming pool, free parking, safe deposit box, spa tub and more.

Pic Courtesy:  laprensa-sandiego.org

One of the most eagerly awaited events, Mardi Gras is back in Gaslamp Quarter!

The 19th Annual Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp will be held on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 from 6:00 PM to midnight

Mardi Gras is a French term which literally translates to “Fat Tuesday.” It applies to the Tuesday that comes before Ash Wednesday. Celebrated worldwide, Mardi Gras attracts hundreds of thousands of people be it New Orleans or Rio. And San Diego is no different.

Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp Quarter in the heart of Downtown San Diego, is celebrated with much fervor, enthusiasm and with a unique flavor of Southern California. This year Mardi Gras will take place on 12th February, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. to midnight.

A grand parade will be held that will travel straight down Fifth Avenue.
Plus, there will be lots of renowned DJs, LIVE bands, dancers and street performers to entertain attendees throughout. The restaurants and the bars in Gaslamp Quarter will also present LIVE entertainment.

More than 40,000 people are expected to be a part of this grand celebration and indulgence. Do come to this rocking event on your San Diego vacation.

You just need to be 21 years or older to enter. And do carry a valid ID.

Come dressed in colorful costumes – wear beads, feathers, masks or whatever you like. Just remember to not change your appearance so drastically that you can’t be recognized through your ID proof check!

To reach the Gaslamp Quarter, you can either drive or take a cab or trolley from your hotel.

To enjoy not just Mardi Gras but also your vacation to the fullest, it is advisable to find a hotel in San Diego which is centrally located.

California Suites Hotel is located right in the heart of San Diego so that makes it easy to easily commute to the Gaslamp Quarter and other various places and San Diego attractions. The hotel provides good facilities at budget price such as continental breakfast, free parking, Internet access, large warm swimming pool, safe deposit box and more.

Being an AAA-approved and a member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, California Suites Hotel provides services and room accommodation in San Diego that are Convenient, Comfortable and Affordable.

Annual pre-Christmas holiday bowl game brings thousands of football lovers together

Get ready to watch the popular game, all you football lovers. The San Diego County Credit Union’s Poinsettia Bowl is set to take place on 20th December at the Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley at 5 p.m.

Sponsored by the San Diego County Credit Union; the largest locally owned financial institution in the area; the eighth annual Poinsettia Bowl will match a team from the Mountain West to compete against Brigham Young University if it is bowl-eligible.

This annual pre-Christmas holiday bowl game brings thousands of football lovers together.

Visitors coming on a San Diego vacation this December, must catch up on this fabulous event. The game will be aired on ESPN as well as broadcast on ESPN Radio.

VIP Parking
Try to come as early as possible as the parking lot fills up fast. You can also buy VIP parking passes for $40 each. This will ensure that you will get the parking space no matter what time you arrive at the stadium. VIP parking features a secure space inside the main gates of the stadium.

Apart from Poinsettia Bowl, you can also look forward to many other Christmas events and festivities that take place throughout San Diego.

But first of all, book a good and affordable accommodation in San Diego as early as possible, as holiday season is round the corner and rooms get filled pretty fast.

Located in Clairemont Mesa Blvd, California Suites Hotel is a beautiful lodging in San Diego that provides affordable stay. Until the end of year 2012, California Suites Hotel is offering attractive discounts.

Our prices are the best in the industry and we provide fine services which include cable with HBO, free parking, laundry facilities, continental breakfast, large heated swimming pool, high speed Internet access and more.

More importantly, our hotel is close to Qualcomm Stadium and other places of interest such as Gaslamp Quarter, Balboa Park and beaches.

If you are a football fan, do not miss San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl!!

Legoland California is one of the main attractions in San Diego for kids and adults of all ages.

Located in Carlsbad (California) around the Lego toy brand, the miniature park and theme park Legoland California is one of the main attractions in San Diego for kids and adults of all ages.

Amusements at Legoland

Legoland offers a day full of excitement, happiness, colors, adventure and lots of action to the visitors. The thrill begins at the front entrance where a 9-foot, bright red LEGO dinosaur welcomes you to a joy ride.

The park has different fun zones including:

Dino Island –Dino Island has a mini steel roller coaster – Coastersaurus – that curves and dips around huge models of Lego dinosaurs.

Duplo – Duplo brand – especially designed for children aged 1½ to 5 years –features several Duplo themed and water-oriented attractions.

Fun Town – A role-playing amusement area, Fun Town features activities for adult skills or professional identities, which include Volvo Driving School, Volvo Junior Driving School, Lego Factory Fire, Academy, Flight Squadron, Sky Patrol, and Skipper School

Miniland USA – Miniland USA – a scale model miniature park – features outstanding architecture and symbols from America and other parts of the world. The cities included at Miniland are Legoland Miniland New York City and Legoland Miniland Washington DC.

Castle Hill – Castle Hill – a medieval castle-themed area – features Dragon roller coaster, Knights Tournament ride, Hideaways, and Royal Joust.

Imagination Zone –Imagination Zone allows visitors to ride a Wild Mouse-style roller coaster – Technic Coaster-Test Track. Visitors can choose from three different 4-D movies – Bob the Builder, Spellbreaker, and Clutch Powers.

Pirate Shores – Pirate Shores – a popular splash park – features six water-oriented rides and other attractions including Splash Battle, Soak ‘N Sail, Treasure Falls, Swabbie’s Deck, Captain Cranky’s Challenge, and Pirate Reef.

Land of Adventure – This is the newly introduced feature theme park, designed to replicate the 1920s in Egypt.

Legoland Water Park – Located next to the buildings in Fun Town, it is the water park area in Legoland California, which was opened on May 28, 2010.

For tickets and other details visit http://california.legoland.com/.

San Diego Lodging

Planning to visit Legoland California but worried about accommodation in San Diego?

Put your worries to rest as California Suites Hotel – one of most preferred San Diego budget hotels – offers comfortable lodging services. An AAA-approved hotel and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, California Suites Hotel offers world-class services including

• Large heated swimming pool
• Air-conditioned public areas
• Complimentary newspaper in lobby
• Cable with HBO
• High speed Internet access
• Spa tub
• Laundry facilities
• Continental breakfast
• Safe-deposit box

Visit Legoland California and make your San Diego vacation even more memorable.

Photo Courtesy: mytripolog.com

Photo Courtesy: sandiegoreader.com

San Diego invites all beer lovers for San Diego Brewers Guild’s third installment of San Diego Beer Week 2012 (SDBW). Started on November 2, 2012, it is a 10-day celebration concluding on November 11, 2012. San Diego Beer week is featuring 40-plus local craft breweries and promoting the popular brewing culture of San Diego.

Attend the San Diego Beer Week 2012 to enjoy a host of events –beer gardens, festivals, live music and entertainment, over 100 of the finest beers and tasteful food from local brewpubs and other popular restaurants.

There will be more than 63 events during San Diego Beer Week 2012 including Beer Release, Pint Night, Firkin/Cask, Beer Brunch, Tap Takeover, Beer Dinner, and Meet the Brewer et al. Check official website for details.

San Diego Beer Week 2012 will conclude with The Beer Garden @ The Lodge at Torrey Pines on Sunday, November 11, 2012, 12 pm to 3 pm. The tickets cost $75.00.

Don’t miss the closing event as the guests will be offered a variety of tastings of beer and food pairings prepared by best local chefs and different craft brewing companies including:

San Diego Beer Week 2012 is concluding on November 11, 2012.

• Stumblefoot Brewing/Stone Brewing Company – Chef Paul McCabe, Delicias
• Karl Strauss Brewing Company / Aztec Brewing Company – Chef Anthony Sinsay, Burlap
• Lightning Brewery/Monkey Paw Brewery – Chef Amy DeBiase, The Shores Restaurant
• Lost Abbey Brewing/AleSmith Brewing Company – Chef Nick Brune, Local Habit
• Societe Brewing/New English Brewing Company – Chef Kyle Bergman, Ritual Tavern
• Manzanita Brewing Company/Hess Brewing – Chef Lance Repp, Sky Room at La Valencia
• Rock Bottom Brewery San Diego/Wet n Reckless Brewing – Chef Jeffrey Strauss, Pamplemousse Grille
• Rock Bottom Brewery La Jolla/Green Flash Brewing Company – Chef Hanis Cavin, Carnitas Snack Shack
• Pizza Port Brewing OB/San Diego Brewing Company – Chef Daniel Boling, The Lodge at Torrey Pines
• Ballast Point Brewing Company/Mother Earth Brewing Company – Chef Gunther Emathinger, Karl Strauss Brewing Company
• Oggi’s Brewing Company/Coronado Brewing Company – Alex Carballo, Stone World Bistro

Don’t miss it! San Diego Beer Week 2012 is heading towards its conclusion. California Suites Hotel – one of the prime options amongst budget San Diego motels and hotels – will take care of your San Diego lodging. We will make your accommodation in San Diego affordable. It is an AAA-approved hotel and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce.

California Suites Hotel is known for its world-class services including:

• Large heated swimming pool
• Air-conditioned public areas
• Complimentary newspaper in lobby
• Cable with HBO
• High speed Internet access
• Spa tub
• Laundry facilities
• Continental breakfast
• Safe-deposit box

Photo Courtesy: sdbw.org

Source: sdbw.org/beer-garden

The U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Exposition is open to the public from 9am to 7pm on Labor Day weekend, August 31 – September 3, 2012, at ‘B’ Street Cruise Ship terminal Pier, Downtown, San Diego.

Looking for some fun activities on your San Diego family vacation?

Don’t miss these two fun filled events lined up for September 2012, which call for an extended stay in San Diego.

US Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Exposition

The U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Exposition is open to the public from 9am to 7pm on Labor Day weekend, August 31 – September 3, 2012, at ‘B’ Street Cruise Ship terminal Pier, Downtown, San Diego.

Come, watch some of the world’s top sand artists create sculptural masterpieces the likes of which have never before been seen in San Diego.

What an experience – On three sides surrounded by San Diego’s Big Bay and on the 4th, downtown’s sandcastles in the sky. You and your family can watch sculptures being gently carved by master artists from Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands and Canada, as well as California.

Enjoy dimensional art from leading West Coast artists who work in metal, glass, resin, clay, wood, leather, fabric and gemstones, while tall ships pass majestically with hoisted sail in full regalia. Check out the fascinating large pile sand sculpture with over 100 tons of sand. And walk out on the pier for the best view of ships cruising the Big Bay in all of downtown.

49^th Annual Cabrillo Festival

Be a part of history and welcome 16^th century explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo as he steps ashore on Ballast Point, Sunday, September 30, 2012.

The Cabrillo Festival is a fun event for the entire family, with educational activities, cultural demonstrations and exciting folkloric performances. Brightly colored clothing and dramatic music and dancing bring to life the traditions of the Native American, Mexican, Portuguese and Spanish cultures that are part of the Age of Exploration.

The Cabrillo Festival features food booths with delicious traditional Mexican, Native American, Portuguese and Spanish food. Vendors will showcase their various artistic goods. The highlight of the Cabrillo Festival is the re-enactment of Cabrillo’s landing on the shores of San Diego Bay.

“Cabrillo,” his soldiers and a priest sail into the bay on San Salvador (The Californian), and once again claim the land for Spain. Amy Daneke Miss Cabrillo Festival 2012 was born in Fresno, California and attends San Diego State University. She will represent the Cabrillo Festival at events in Ensenada and San Diego during Cabrillo Festival Week.

Accommodation in San Diego – For some good quality San Diego lodging, go for San Diego’s Value Price Leader, California Suites Hotel. Just 15 minutes away from the airport as well as the best known attractions of this beautiful city, the California Suites Hotel leads San Diego budget hotels in offering services at competitive rates.

Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel offers continental breakfast, large heated swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

The biggest advantage is that the hotel is close to almost all beaches and other top attractions as well such as Old Town, Sea World, Balboa Park, La Jolla, and shopping centers. Mark your presence in either or both of these events detailed above and make the most of your San Diego beach vacation.

Sources include:

cabrillofestival.org

ussandsculpting.com

Enjoy your extended stay San Diego with Beer-Con beer conference to be held on August 24 and 25, 2012 at 57 Degrees, Downtown San Diego.

Two fascinating days featuring brewery tours, talks, tastings, food Pairings, and a new location closer to Downtown!

Enjoy your extended stay San Diego with Beer-Con beer conference to be held on August 24 and 25, 2012 at 57 Degrees, Downtown San Diego.

Beer-Con was born out of the pure love for craft beer. This is a conference by, and for beer lovers! For the first time ever the greatest minds and palates in craft beer have a platform to come together and share their passion! Beer-Con 2012 is a conference held in beautiful San Diego that will feature some of the top names in the industry speaking on a variety of topics!

Multiple speaking tracks will run simultaneously throughout the day so that you can choose the experience that is right for you. This event is open to the public, no professional association or credentials required!

At Beer-Con you’ll get exclusive access to industry pros, get answers to the questions you’ve always wanted to ask, learn about brewing and tasting beer from the best in the business and of course join other beer lovers for a few brews at our Tap Haven where you’ll enjoy a special line-up of craft taps!

There will be two route options – both of which will visit 3 breweries and then end at the new Rough Draft location for the Friday kick-off party. You will get a total of 12 taster tickets. It’s up to you, how many you use at each brewery. But once you’re out, it’s on you to buy additional tasters.

The range of tasters available for the visitors includes Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Hangar 24 Craft Brewery, Iron Fist Brewing Company, Stone Brewing Co., Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Coronado Brewing Co., The Beer Co. San Diego, Lightning Brewery, The Lost Abbey, Port Brewing, Ballast Point, Societe Brewing Co, and North Coast Brewing Co.
Come be a part of the craft beer movement.

Make the most of this event without bothering about the accommodation in San Diego. California Suites Hotel is the best option for affordable San Diego lodging. We take pride in announcing that California Suites Hotel is approved by the AAA and is a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce.

California Suites Hotel is appreciated for its unmatched services and hospitality. Our list of premium services include continental breakfast, large heated swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Share your passion, join the discussion and tip back a few tasters at Beer-Con 2012! We will see you there.

Sources include:
beer-con.com 
sandiego.org/events

Photo Courtesy: localdeal.com

The Old Globe's 2012 Shakespeare Festival is set to take place from 3rd June to 30th September, 2012. The Old Globe is located in San Diego's Balboa Park.

Are you fond of watching plays? How about watching Shakespearean plays? The Old Globe’s 2012 Shakespeare Festival is set to take place from 3rd June to 30th September, 2012. The Old Globe is located in San Diego’s Balboa Park.

The Old Globe’s 2012 Shakespeare Festival will be performed in repertory at the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theater. Adrian Noble returns as the artistic director of the festival and will direct plays – “As You Like It” and “Inherit the Wind”.

British director Lindsay Posner will make his debut at the Old Globe with his production of Richard III, which will kick off the festival on 3rd June. Jay Whittaker will star in the title role.

Here is a look at the 2012 Old Globe’s Shakespeare Festival:

Richard III
June 3-Sept 29
Directed by Lindsay Posner

“Richard III is one of the most diabolical and outrageous villains in all of literature. A ruthless Machiavellian, the brilliant and power-hungry lord embarks on a bloody campaign to seize and keep the English crown. Shakespeare paints an unforgettable portrait of obsession, seduction, betrayal and a man who would be king.”

As You Like It
June 10-Sept. 30 (Opening night is June 29)
Directed by Noble

“Flirtation, friendship and mistaken identity make for one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. Rosalind escapes into the forest and adopts the persona of a man to get close to her beloved Orlando. But when he falls for another woman, she must untangle the web of deceptions she has woven to win her true love. As You Like It explores the giddy excitement and dizzying foibles of love and is a perfect summer night under the stars.”

Inherit the Wind
By Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
June 17-Sept. 25 (Opening night is July 3)
Directed by Noble

“Two powerhouse lawyers face off in a small town with the eyes of an entire nation upon them when a schoolteacher is arrested for teaching Charles Darwin’s theories of evolution. When the issue goes to trial, the two attorneys must passionately confront questions of faith and science in a heated courtroom. This fictional re-creation of the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial tackles issues that are every bit as relevant today as they were in 1925.”

Apart from the plays, you can catch various other special events too at the Old Globe such as “Shakespeare in the Garden” seminars, post-show forums and more.

Want to watch something other than Shakespearean? Some other plays will also be showcased at the Old Globe such as Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage, Divine Rivalry by Michael Kramer and more.

If you are coming on a San Diego beach vacation during June and September, do spare some time to watch one of these historic Shakespearean plays at the Old Globe.

As far as San Diego lodging is concerned, we are a favorite accommodation in San Diego for tourists wanting to visit the beautiful city. California Suites Hotel is located close to Balboa Park, so it will be easy for you to commute to the Old Globe in the urban park to watch the plays. Besides California Suites Hotel is also in close proximity to several beaches, Old Town, La Jolla, Little Italy, Gaslamp Quarter and various other tourists hotspots.

Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel provides high quality facilities at budget prices. Our services include continental breakfast, large heated swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Make your reservations with us now and enjoy these various attractions of San Diego and good services to their fullest.

Sources include: playbill.com

Photo Courtesy: kpbs.org

Automobile aficionados and aviation enthusiasts can tighten their seatbelts for Annual American Heritage Car Show

Automobile aficionados and aviation enthusiasts can tighten their seatbelts for two exciting events lined up in San Diego in late May and early June.

The 15^th Annual American Heritage Car Show is set to take place Saturday, May 26, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and will provide a visual treat of out fabulous vehicles in a beautiful setting, Grape Day Park, Escondido, CA. With close to 250 vehicles parked on grass, this is one of the nicest car shows anywhere.

Start the day off at 9am with a delicious pancake breakfast. Then, walk the park to find your favorite car, while listening to a DJ spinning classic rock ‘n roll tunes. Buy some raffle tickets and you might win a fabulous prize. Local car dealers sponsor this show, which benefits the non-profit Escondido History Center. They’ll be on site with some new cars for you to see, too. Vendors offer a variety of merchandise, but you don’t need to spend any money to enjoy the American Heritage Car Show. Spectators are free, and so are tours of the Escondido History Center.

This year’s show honors local builder Randy Clark of Hot Rods & Custom Stuff. Entry for spectators is free and vehicle entry is $25. No dogs or alcohol allowed.

For aviation enthusiasts, the 17^th Annual Wings Over Gillespie air show is set to provide a great time for the whole family on the weekend of June 2-3, 2012. As “A Salute to 100 Years of U. S. Marine Corps Aviation”, the 17^th Annual Wings Over Gillespie air show is again planning to feature the awesome howl of airplane engines such as WWII bombers, F4F Wildcat, the TBF Avenger, the A6M Zero, the SBD Dauntless, and many more “Flying Museums” including the only remaining of their type, the Northrop N9M Flying Wing and the F3F Flying Barrel.

Also on hand will be USN/USMC helicopters and other static displays, Navy SEALs, special military and law enforcement vehicles and equipment, and much more. The gates open for the air show performance from to 9 am to 4 pm, at Gillespie Field in El Cajon on the show days.

The Air Show is a unique family, vacation day event with a special KidsZone area. Amusements, rides, entertainers, games and prizes, face painters, education displays, a great variety of food and beverages, and SHADE, will be abundant for the entire weekend. We will also feature a Beer Festival to add to the festivities of a great summer weekend for all. With the new SR-52 extension that now connects to SR-67, Gillespie Field is now more accessible than ever.

The air show is a glorious commemoration of American History:
- 70th Anniversary of WWII
- 70th Anniversary of Doolittle Raid
- 70th Anniversary of Battle of Midway
- 100th Anniversary of Marine Corps Aviation
- 100th Anniversary of El Cajon
- 70th Anniversary of Gillespie Field

If you are planning a San Diego vacation in late May and early June, do not miss out on the heritage car show and the air show. Make your room reservations in a San Diego hotel which is centrally located. Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel is a leading budget hotel in San Diego which offers easy and convenient access to all the top attractions of San Diego. All the popular beaches including Harbor Beach, La Jolla Cove, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach are nearby. Even shopping centers, Balboa Park and other major attractions are a few minutes away.

Well-known for its hospitality, California Suites Hotel provides fine services at affordable prices which include continental breakfast, large swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Main source for content: Yelp.com/Events
Main source for content: Air Group One of the Commemorative Air Force

Photo Courtesy: new-car-automotive.blogspot.com

The Sicilian Festival, famed for its procession featuring costumed musicians and dancers.

The Sicilian Festival, famed for its procession featuring costumed musicians and dancers, will bring alive San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 20 as part of the 19^th Annual Sicilian Festival celebration.

The family event is free and features authentic Sicilian music, dance, culture and cuisine, surrounded by the ambiance of the Little Italy  neighborhood, located within walking distance of the beautiful San Diego harbor and within minutes of San Diego’s downtown district. If you are planning a vacation in San Diego during this time, book your rooms in a San Diego hotel that is located near Little Italy. You will love the ambiance.

Along Beech Street from Kettner to State Streets, car lovers will encounter Bellissimo! A Celebration of Italian Automotive Artistry. Offering an intimate look at a broad spectrum of Italian car designs – including Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Fiat, Lancia, and Alpha Romeo – visitors can mingle with proud car owners and cast their votes for a “Peoples Choice Award” for the car that captures their heart. Participating car clubs include the Ferrari, Alpha Romeo and Fiat/Lancia clubs, as well as support from FIAT Kearny Mesa.

Food booths will represent the many restaurants in Little Italy, serving up Sicilian specialties of all varieties.  Tarantino’s Sausages will also be on hand to serve up some of the best Italian sausages in the nation. Peroni, the official beer sponsor of the Sicilian Festival, will feature a Peroni Nastro Azzurro, the #1 Premium brand in Italy imported from Rome, in the beer and wine pavilion.

Guests will dance in the streets throughout the day.

At 11:30 am, a procession of dozens of costumed dancers, musicians, and representatives of the City and County of San Diego and the House of Italy, Sons of Italy, Italian-American Association, and other San Diego Italian organizations, will parade through the streets carrying flags from the different regions of Sicily and Italy. A very special guest in this years costume parade will be newborn Amelia Tripoli, born March 4, 2012 to Tony and Diana Tripoli who were married at the 2010 Sicilian Festival.

Four stages will feature non-stop Italian and Sicilian entertainment. The event is highlighted by the nationally acclaimed Roman Holiday Ensemble which will be on hand with their costumed musicians and dancers to provide a lively show of Sicilian and Italian music. The Screamin’ Primas will also be featured in a salute to Sicilian-American trumpeter and bandleader Louie Prima. Sicilian Swing’s New Orleans Italian jazz ensemble and renowned soprano Cristina Fontanelli will be among notable Italian-themed acts to be enjoyed at the Festival. The Grape Street stage will feature culinary demonstrations from San Diego’s leading chefs, highlighted by a pasta-eating contest.

All children’s activities are free, and include a large inflatable slide, puppet theatre shows, face painting, and many other activities to keep the bambini entertained throughout day.

A Sicilian cultural zone will feature photo and cultural displays by local and national authors and artisans that reflect the Sicilian American heritage in San Diego. The area will feature chalk art and displays of the rich history of San Diego’s tuna fishing industry, which flourished from the beginning of the 20th century until the 1970s. Among the exhibitors will be the San Diego History Center, Maritime Museum, and the Women’s Museum of California.

Free street parking is available throughout the Little Italy neighborhood. Free parking is available in the north lot of the County Administration Building, with a free shuttle to the Festival. The AMTRAK station is less than a mile from the Sicilian Festival area and can be reached either by foot or by using the San Diego Trolley. The Coaster also runs on Sunday. Take the MTS Trolley’s Blue Line to the County Center/Little Italy Station.

And there’s free parking at many of the Trolley’s park-and-ride lots (especially Qualcomm Stadium).  Also, on weekends, two children (12 and under) ride free with a paid adult (18 and over).

Little Italy is the first stop on the blue line north. Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel is a leading budget hotel in San Diego which is centrally located. All the popular beaches including Harbor Beach, La Jolla Cove, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach are nearby. Even shopping centers, Balboa Park and other major attractions are a few minutes away.

Well-known for its hospitality, California Suites Hotel provides fine services at affordable prices which include continental breakfast, large swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Courtesy: Southwest Riverside News Network