For Renton’s Italian community, it’s all about tradition.

So much so that when Crystal Ainardi discovered the spelling of her name wasn’t original to her Italian heritage, she had it legally changed.

“I just felt like I owed it to the family. I just wanted it to be real,” Ainardi said.

With this fervor and a successful Italian reunion last year, Ainardi plans to recommence a century-old tradition of annual Italian summer picnics.

“I lived with my grandmother, and I was surprised how traditional she was,” said Italian Gail Webster. “She always did washing on Monday, and Tuesday you did ironing – that sort of thing.”

The picnics started last year after Ainardi found a 1935 photo of an Italian Picnic. She decided to contact the families represented in the photo for a picnic reunion.

About 115 people attended last year, with about nine people from the original photo. Some even flew in from Florida and California to reconnect with friends and family, said Webster, who helped with the event.

“Everybody has similar stories that intertwine, because we’re all related in some way,” Ainardi said. “I think the immigrant story is really fascinating.”

Many of the Italians that immigrated to Rainier Valley, Renton and Cle Elum came from the Italian cities Matie and Susa. The July picnics stemmed out of a common bond and soon became a local tradition.

“I grew up in Renton and nobody really talked about the Italian Americans that settled,” Ainardi said. “It just goes to show that there are lots in the Renton area, and we should embrace it.”

Several people are planning to return to this year’s picnic on Saturday, along with a few more people Ainardi found along the way, she said.

“Everything is done the same way as it’s been done for the last 100 years,” Ainardi said. “And if anything is shifted off, it feels uncomfortable and weird.”

Last year everyone brought a favorite Italian dish to share, some played accordions and many brought pictures and memories.

Webster took her children, she said. “It’s a history lesson for them too. They may not realize it now, but someday they realize the importance of family and traditions.”