Paesano Days 2026 Draws Hundreds To South City Park in Redding
It all began at five o’clock on Friday (9-18) at South City Park with it being the Paesano Days 2026, brought to us every year by the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Shasta Lodge #2453. A spaghetti dinner was served with pesto or meat sauce, salad and garlic bread included, with the Bocce Tournament from 6 to 9 p.m.
The following morning, Saturday, September 19, the Bocce Tournament resumed and a Show and Shine Car Show, sponsored by the local Shasta Classic Car Club, went from 9 to 1 p.m. For the early birds arriving at 7 a.m., a Pizza Fritte and mimosas were available.
And at 10 o’clock in the morning, food was served, including Italian sausage sandwiches, pasta bowls with a meatball, hot dogs, cannoli, ice cream, soft drinks and adult beverages. Of course, vendors and crafters were there, offering a wide variety of goods services and helpful information.
Having shot pics of literally dozens of car shows throughout the North State, the SHASTA UNFILTERED eNewspaper photographer was taken by a white 1958 Edsel Citation Convertible, with owner Sonny Rose of Redding, proudly standing by, eager to “pass on” the manner in which he acquired such a rare, albeit controversial, automobile:
“The story of the Edsel Citation begins with my best friend of over 40 years...,Victor Russo. By the way, I’m Sonny Rose. Victor and I were big car guys. Victor was diagnosed with Stage IV mesothelioma in the Fall of 2020, with his doctors stating he only had 14 months to live. Victor lived 19 months, passing in mid June of 2022.”
Sonny Rose continues: “Four months before his passing, Victor and his son, Michael, went online with Barrett Jackson’s Auction. Looking for a big, beautiful convertible, they found this car and purchased it for fifty-two thousand dollars. Six weeks later, the Edsel Citation was delivered, just in time to ready it for Kool April Nites.”
Rose continues: “During Kool April Nites of 2022, Victor's [health] was failing. Victor’s sons, Michael and Christopher, plus myself, took turns chauffeuring Victor to several show-and-shine-events, which Victor enjoyed immensely. At Victor’s Celebration of Life, Victor’s family presented me with a gift bag, encasing it with a few of Victor’s mementos, including a Pink Chauffeur Cap, his pocket knife and watch and a pink envelope. I opened it and it had the “Pink Slip of the 1958 Edsel Citation Convertible,” with the words: “It’s yours.”……the beautiful family of Victor gifted me with Victor’s car. There wasn’t a dry eye!"
