Pageant News Bureau - Little Italy

P a g e a n t N e w s B u r e a u

Beauty is big in Little Italy

Photos by Joe Whiteko / PNB

Queen Teresa Cristarella, the new 2007 Columbus Day Queen

San Diego is in California, right on the doorstep of Mexico. But when you breathe the warm air and gaze out on the blue ocean, you could almost be on some distant Mediterranean shore, maybe back in La Bella Italia.

Queen Felicia Rose Veltre

Teresa Tarantino, the queen for 2006

Before this city became a haven for people seeking the perfect climate, it was a center of the world's tuna fishing industry. The bounty from the sea attracted immigrants from around the world. Many were natives of Italy who found work in the waterfront tuna canneries. These people, with their legendary work ethic and love of life, started their own community in the 1920s. Little Italy was born.

Queen Nicole Petracca

Princess Vanessa Indie

Princess Alexandria Estrada

California is a melting pot. Today, the descendants of the Italian immigrants are scattered throughout San Diego, and many have long since intermarried with people of other backgrounds. But that famous brio is still in their souls. There are 44 organizations in the city that help keep the Italian heritage alive.

Every Columbus Day holiday, an important time for Italians worldwide, people stream back to Little Italy to celebrate ethnic events. Among these are beauty pageants in the best tradition of Italian culture. In late 2006, PNB was invited to be a part of this "Festa." It was an honor we will never forget. To Pat Fornataro, Rose Marie Crimi and all our new friends in San Diego, we say a sincere "grazie."

P a g e a n t N e w s B u r e a u