Catherine Fachetto Taldo Ranalli and her son Joe, late 1920s. The Ranalli family of Tontitown has a proud tradition of working the land and growing crops. Today, the third generation of Ranallis to live in Tontitown grow blueberries, tomatoes, and grapes on the 60 acres that Nazzareno Ranalli settled when he first came to this country.

Most of the early Tontitown families grew grapes. Today, only a handful of growers like the Ranallis remain in an area once covered with acres of vineyards. But the community still celebrates the grape harvest and the rich history of Tontitown each year in August at the Tontitown Grape Festival. For more information, visit the Grape Festival website.

Courtesy Agatha Ranalli Penzo (S-2002-111-11)