The Vincenzo Bellini Lodge was founded by Antonio Lucido, Catherina Lucido with the help of Past State President of the Grand Lodge of California Joseph Simile, and was chartered on May 28, 1982 in Chico, California. 

The name Vincenzo Bellini was chosen by Antonio because of his love of Opera and after the famous Italian composer Vincenzo Salvatore Carmelo Francesco Bellini who in 1831 produced two of his most famous operas, "La sonnambula"  and "Norma". 

The lodge was founded after the Lucido family moved to Chico and found they missed their Italian friends from Watsonville, and Antonio missed his Sons of Italy friends from the Monterey Lodge.
 
After conferring with his daughter Catherina, Antonio and Catherina got out the phone book and began calling people with Italian surnames to meet at Antonio's sons' restaurant and make plans to start a Lodge in Chico.
 
Marie DelCarlo and Frank Scotella were very active in helping to organize this lodge. Frank Scotella was the first president, and Catherina Lucido was the first financial secretary.
 
Successive presidents included Letitia Sanchez, Fred Caperello, Sal Aiello, and Elmer Silvera. Currently Michael Colletti Smith is president.

The Lodge originally consisted of 75 enthusiastic members, 12 of which are still active today.   Current membership is now over 130 members.

The Lodge celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2007. 

Because of its enthusiasm, the lodge has membership of all ages.  Annual events include the Spaghetti Feed where over 1200 meals are served each year. Other events include an Anniversary Dinner Dance, a Family Summer Picnic & Bocce tournament, a family Christmas dinner and party for the children.

The membership assists with the Northern California Golf Classic which benefits the Western Foundation Charities.  Other charities the Chico Sons of Italy support include: The Birth Defects Library in Davis, Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, Handi-Riders of Northern California, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, and the Cancer Society.

Sons of Italy Chico has an active role in the activities of the Italian Language Department at Chico State University.  Several members of Sons of Italy are on the ISAC (Italian Studies Advisory Council).

Through the Opera Benefit, Festa Primavera and Festa D’ A’ Tunno, the Sons of Italy Lodge sponsors a currently enrolled University Student in the Study of Italian Language in Italy.