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Italian-themed market and street scene launch tribute to Pieve del Grappa

FOLSOM—The celebration of Folsom’s 25-year Sister City relationship with Pieve del Grappa, Italy, gets underway this Saturday in the heart of the city with Ciao Folsom!, a lively festival that will transform the Historic Folsom Farmers Market into an Italian street scene filled with food, music, and culture.

From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on September 13, the Sutter Street Plaza and Railroad Turntable will host a bustling open-air marketplace with a distinctly Italian flair. Shoppers can browse fresh local produce and specialty vendors while enjoying Italian food and beverages for sale at the Zittel Family Amphitheater. Beginning at 11 a.m., the amphitheater will come alive with Italian-themed entertainment, creating the perfect backdrop for a family-friendly day of culture and celebration.

Adding to the spectacle, paddleboarders dressed as gondoliers will make their way down the American River at 10 a.m., visible from the iconic Truss Bridge. This unique highlight symbolizes the spirit of cultural exchange and fun that has defined the Sister City partnership since its creation in 2000. Admission to the event is free, and all are welcome.

Ciao Folsom is just the beginning of a monthlong tribute to international friendship between Folsom and Pieve del Grappa. On Friday, September 19, the Sister City Celebration at Palladio will bring Italian-inspired flair to the summer concert series at Palladio at Broadstone. From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., guests will enjoy live music, prosecco, tiramisu, festive décor, and Italian-inspired offerings from participating merchants and restaurants.

The Folsom Public Library is joining the celebration with Italian-themed programming throughout September. Highlights include an Adult Book Club discussion of Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend on Thursday, September 11, at 11 a.m.; a pasta-inspired “Make It!” activity on Thursday, September 18, at 3 p.m.; and a Family Movie Matinee screening of Lucaon Saturday, September 27, at 11:30 a.m. Teens will also prepare a cultural capsule to share with peers in Pieve del Grappa, strengthening connections between the two communities.

For food lovers, the Back Bistro at Palladio will present a special Pieve del Grappa Tasting Menu on Friday, September 19, from 6 to 7:45 p.m. The three-course menu draws inspiration from seasonal Italian flavors and offers an intimate dining experience by reservation only. Meanwhile, the Murer House, one of Folsom’s most cherished historic landmarks, will host a series of Italian cooking classes in September and October. The lineup includes hands-on lessons in classic dishes such as rigatoni al ragù, tiramisu, sweet potato gnocchi, ravioli, tortellini, arancini, fettuccini with seafood sauce, and polenta with meatballs.

The anniversary celebration also highlights the legacy of Giuseppe “Joe” Murer, whose vision left an enduring mark on the city. Murer immigrated from Crespano del Grappa to Folsom in the early 1900s, where he became a businessman, builder, and community leader. In 1921, he purchased property and began designing his Italianate home, completing it in 1927 with the help of Italian craftsmen. Surrounded by grapevines, fruit trees, and terraced gardens, the Murer House reflected the beauty of his homeland.

Today, the Murer House and Gardens, located at 1125 Joe Murer Court, serves as a cultural center and museum offering tours, classes, and events. Operated by the Murer House Foundation, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2022 and continues to celebrate Folsom’s Italian heritage. Each year, the site honors the Sister City connection with events tied to Pieve del Grappa, Murer’s birthplace.

Though Crespano del Grappa merged with Paderno del Grappa in 2019 to form Pieve del Grappa, the Sister City relationship with Folsom remains strong. Established in the spirit of the Sister Cities International program launched by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, the partnership has grown into a cultural bridge connecting two communities across the globe.

This year’s anniversary not only honors 25 years of friendship but also celebrates the spirit of heritage, culture, and connection that continues to shape Folsom. For a full schedule of events, visit www.folsom.ca.us/SisterCity.

Copyright © 2025, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

By now, it’s clear.

You cannot rattle, distract, disrupt or intimidate Ryder Lyons, and teams have tried for three years to get under his skin and inside his helmet.

Lyons is a senior quarterback for Folsom High School, deemed the No. 1-rated player in California by a number of recruiting services as the Sacramento area’s first 5-star signal caller since Randy Fasani of Del Oro in 1996, and he already ranks as an all-time regional great.

In a much anticipated and hotly hyped season opener on Saturday night in Del Paso Heights, Lyons in the first half against the Grant Pacers took shots to the head, losing his helmet. He was also hit late on plays, barked at and taunted. He never broke stride.

The stout, 6-foot-3, 225-pound star kept his cool while the Pacers did not in the first two quarters, and Lyons engineered a satisfying 51-13 victory in a battle of the Sacramento region’s top two programs that played out before a national audience on ESPN.

Lyons passed for 408 yards and four touchdowns on 31 of 37 passing in just over three quarters of work, and he had scoring run as the power source for The Sacramento Bee No. 1-ranked Bulldogs. Lyons had a 4-yard scoring toss to Jason Hill to cap his team’s opening drive of the third quarter and a 30-7 lead, ensuring that this would not be a showdown to the finish.

Later in the quarter, Lyons hit Isaiah Williams for a 4-yard scoring strike to make it 37-7.

Grant was more composed in the second half after a blistering halftime tongue lashing by coaches, most of them Grant alums. In front of an overflow crowd, Grant was not at its best before the half, drawing two unsportsmanlike penalties before the game even kicked off for pregame antics. The Pacers had 16 penalties for 164 yards, 10 of them for 104 yards coming in the first half.

In the first two quarters, Grant drew four unsportsmanlike penalties. Grant’s team wasn’t sharp, but its nationally recognized drumline was, as were the school’s dance team and cheerleading squad.

Teams of the Decades

This was a titanic meeting between regional superpowers. Grant was The Bee’s Team of the Decade for the 1990s and again for the 2000s under late, great coach Mike Alberghini, a man so beloved in town that the field bears his name.

Folsom was The Bee’s Team of the Decade for the 2010s and may well be on its way for the same honor for this decade.

Since 2010, Folsom and Grant have combined to win a remarkable 14 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section championships, eight Northern California banners and seven CIF state crowns.

Folsom is the four-time defending section Division I champion and Grant is a three-time defending section champion at different divisions, in addition to winning three successive NorCal banners and two CIF state titles in three seasons.

And star power?

There was plenty of it on hand with Folsom trotting out 18 players with full Division I college scholarship offers and Grant 14.

No game in regional history has ever included two teams with that many scholarship offers playing each other. The only game that would come close would be in 2014, when Grant’s 14-0 season was derailed by Folsom in the CIF NorCal finals, en route to a 16-0 season. Those Bulldogs were led by record-setting quarterback Jake Browning, now with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals.

“This game is so good for high school football in Sacramento and Northern California,” Folsom coach Paul Doherty said before the game. “It’s clearly the best two teams, historically, over the years. Everyone’s excited for it.”

But not necessarily Doherty, who said he finds more joy in offseason conditioning and coaching little kids in Pop Warner football where the only expectation is to scarf down ice cream after games, win or lose.

“There’s no expectations at that level,” Doherty said. “There is here, and that’s OK. This is why we play these games.”

Powell on the loose

Folsom’s Jameson Powell, as electrifying as they come, bobbled an early punt return effort, collected the ball and took off like a jet for a 98-yard touchdown behind superb blocking, leading to Folsom players, coaches and fans to jump and cheer. Powell is bound to Ole Miss.

Lyons had his helmet yanked off amid a scrum of players on the two-point conversion try, which was ultimately successful.

Tavio Rios pulled Grant to within 8-7 with a 3-yard touchdown run, but Lyons pushed Folsom ahead 15-7 with a 9-yard scoring run.

Lyons with 5:48 left in the second quarter hit Rob Larson for a 30-yard pass that Larson turned into a 79-yard scoring sprint and a 23-7 lead. Lyons early in the fourth hit Larson for a 20-yard touchdown to cap the scoring for the starting unit at 43-7.

A fast-rising national recruit, Larson had eight catches for 169 yards and two scores.

Though the game was chippy in the first half, it went without incident in the second.

Folsom left no doubt who the better team was, and Lyons left no doubt who the best player in the section is. He passed for 177 yards in the third quarter alone, and he was a nightmare to chase down.

Friendly pregame wager

There was plenty of good will off the field in the weeks leading up to the contest.

Christopher Clark, the board president for the Folsom Cordova Unified School District, reached out to Christine Jefferson, the board president for Twin River Unified School District that represents Grant, for a friendly bet.

Jefferson won the wager. She has to wear a Folsom jersey to one of her next board meetings in the heart of Grant country.

“It’s all in good fun,” Clark said. “We think it can generate some great community engagement.”

Folsom and Grant first met in football to kickoff the 2010 season, which was carried on ESPN. Grant won that game, though Folsom avenged the setback in the section finals in front of an overflow crowd of 22,000 at Sacramento State.

Grant won the 2011 opener between the teams, but there was no rematch that fall. The teams could meet in the section D-I playoffs this season as the Pacers have been moved up in division.

Folsom on Aug. 30 plays at Central Coast Section powerhouse Serra of San Mateo, a night after Grant hosts the top-ranked team in the Central Section in Central East of Fresno, a team that played for a CIF state title in 2024.

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.”

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 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.

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.

Copyright © 2025, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Two Northern California football powerhouses will face off on ESPN Saturday night when Folsom High School takes on Grant Union High School.

The matchup is part of the worldwide leader in sports’ High School Kickoff, showcasing some of the top programs across the country.

According to ESPN, the event marks the 16th year of its kickoff series and will feature six matchups between top programs all over the country from August 14-23.

The game will be played at Grant’s home field, and ESPN crews arrived Thursday to set up the six-camera telecast for the live broadcast at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on its flagship channel. Announcers for the game will be Chris Sylvester, calling play-by-play, with Jordan Reid as the analyst.

“It's great for the city of Sacramento, great for our school, great for our community and our district, great for, obviously, both schools to be put on that scene,” said Grant Union head football coach Carl Reed.

"I think it's exciting for our communities and our kids, and anytime these things bring publicity to the positive things that our kids are doing in both communities, I think it's great," said Folsom High's principal Howard Cadenhead.

Heading into the season, both Folsom and Grant have high expectations to make deep playoff runs. ESPN told ABC10 the reason the two teams were chosen was due to the number of highly-ranked players on each side, and the game represents the strong tradition of high school football in Northern California.

Folsom enters the season and conference as a powerhouse. Throughout the Bulldogs' football career at the school, they have consistently received titles and CIF state championships for years, which puts them in a competitive 20th ranking when approaching the first game.

Key players include quarterback Ryder Lyons, who is coming into the season ranked 49th after a significant commitment to Brigham Young University (BYU), and offensive tackle Vlad Dyakonov, who is ranked 214th and committed to playing at the University of Southern California (USC).

After an impeccable performance last season, the Pacers have won three straight sectional championships, making the Pacers the only team in the section to win a CIF Open Division State Title in history, which is the highest award in high school football in California.

Grant’s tight end, Rahzario Edwards, is coming into the season ready to work as he's ranked 58th and has multiple offers from schools in major conferences like the Big Ten and the Southeastern Conference (SEC).