Special events ahead to honor international friendship in Historic District, Palladio, Murer House and more
The City of Folsom is hitting a milestone in international friendship this year, celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Sister City relationship with Pieve del Grappa, Italy. The partnership, which began in 2000 with the former city of Crespano del Grappa, honors Folsom’s deep Italian roots and the legacy of Giuseppe “Joe” Murer, one of the city’s most influential early leaders.
Joe Murer immigrated from Crespano del Grappa to Folsom in the early 1900s, where he became a respected businessman, builder, and civic figure. His Italianate home, the Murer House, remains a cultural landmark today and serves as a reminder of the lasting connection between Folsom and Italy.
“Our Sister City partnership with Pieve del Grappa has been an important part of Folsom for 25 years. It reflects our community’s Italian heritage and honors the legacy of Joe Murer,” said Mayor Sarah Aquino. “This milestone is a great opportunity to celebrate our history, our friendship, and the cultural ties that continue to bring our two cities together.”
Celebrating 25 Years With Special Events
Throughout September, the city and its partners will host events highlighting Italian culture, food, music, and community traditions to honor the anniversary.
The celebration begins with Ciao Folsom! in Historic Folsom on Saturday, September 13, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival, hosted with the Living Smart Farmers Market, features an Italian-themed marketplace, cultural displays, and entertainment at the Zittel Family Amphitheater from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. One of the most colorful highlights will be paddleboarders dressed as gondoliers paddling along the American River at 10 a.m., visible from the Truss Bridge. The event is free and family-friendly.
On Friday, September 19, the Sister City Celebration at Palladio will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. as part of the shopping center’s summer concert series. Visitors will enjoy live music, prosecco, tiramisu, festive décor, and Italian-inspired offerings from participating merchants and restaurants.
The Folsom Public Library will also bring Italian flair to its September programming. Activities include an Adult Book Club discussion of Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend on Thursday, September 11, at 11 a.m.; a pasta-themed “Make It!” workshop on Thursday, September 18, at 3 p.m.; and a Family Movie Matinee screening of the animated film Luca on Saturday, September 27, at 11:30 a.m. Members of the Teen Library Council are also preparing a cultural capsule to share with peers in Pieve del Grappa.
Food lovers will have the chance to enjoy authentic flavors during the Pieve del Grappa Tasting Menu at Back Bistro on Friday, September 19, from 6 to 7:45 p.m. The three-course dinner, featuring seasonal Italian ingredients, will be offered with limited seating by reservation.
Adding to the culinary celebration, the Murer House will host a series of hands-on cooking classes in September and October. The schedule features traditional dishes such as rigatoni al ragù, tiramisu, sweet potato gnocchi, ravioli, tortellini, arancini, fettuccini with seafood sauce, and polenta with meatballs. Each class is taught by skilled Italian instructors and offers participants an opportunity to experience Italian culture in a historic Folsom setting.
The Murer House: A Legacy of Italian Heritage
The anniversary celebration also shines a spotlight on the Murer House and Gardens, one of Folsom’s most cherished historic sites.
In 1921, Giuseppe “Joe” Murer purchased property in Folsom and began designing his Italianate home, completing construction in 1927 with the help of fellow Italian immigrant craftsmen. The home featured a tile roof, hand-plastered walls, terraced gardens, fruit trees, grapevines, and cobblestone landscaping reminiscent of his homeland.
Today, the Murer House stands as a museum and cultural center, offering tours, Italian language lessons, bocce, and cooking classes. It is operated by the Murer House Foundation and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2022. Each year, the site celebrates Folsom’s Sister City connection, honoring Murer’s birthplace of Pieve del Grappa.
The Murer House remains a living reminder of how one immigrant’s dream helped shape Folsom’s cultural identity. For more details on programs and events, visit www.murerhousefoundation.org.
A Bond That Endures
Though Crespano del Grappa merged with Paderno del Grappa in 2019 to form Pieve del Grappa, the Sister City relationship has endured and continues to flourish. The partnership is part of the Sister Cities International program, founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 to foster citizen diplomacy and cultural exchange worldwide.
This year’s celebration not only marks 25 years of friendship but also reaffirms the cultural bridge between Folsom and Italy—one built on history, heritage, and the lasting contributions of Joe Murer.
For a complete schedule of events, visit www.folsom.ca.us/SisterCity.
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