Cannoli time! Feast of San Gennaro kicks off in Little Italy

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Thursday, September 13, 2018
92nd Annual Feast of San Gennaro begins in Little Italy
The feast begins on Thursday in Little Italy.

LITTLE ITALY, Manhattan (WABC) -- If you're craving a good calzone or cannoli, you're in luck! The 92nd Annual Feast of San Gennaro has returned to Little Italy in Manhattan.

The feast began Thursday and will end Sunday, September 23.

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All the color and gaiety, pomp and solemnity of an old Italian religious festival, or festa, came to the drab, narrow streets of New York's lower East Side, Sept. 24, 1956.
AP

Apart from the incredible food vendors, revelers can enjoy a number of activities, like a cannoli-eating competition and live performances.

This year, comedian Vic Dibitetto serves as Grand Marshal and will lead the Grand Procession on Saturday at 2 p.m.

The feast is a salute to the patron saint of Naples, Saint Gennaro, who was martyred for his faith in 305 A.D.

According to the feast's website, immigrants from Naples who settled along Mulberry Street brought this tradition to New York City in 1926. In the years following, the event has grown from a one-day festival to an 11-day extravaganza.

Ready to feast? Make sure to check out the schedule of events first:

Thursday, September 13

-- Blessing of the Stands, 6 p.m.

-- Performances by Johnny Mandolin and Free Pass, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, September 14

-- 21st Annual Cannoli Eating Competition, 2 p.m.

-- Performance by The Happenings, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 15

-- The Grand Procession, 2 p.m.

-- Live radio broadcast on WCBS FM, 7 to 10 p.m.

Sunday, September 16

-- 3rd Annual Meatball Eating Contest, 1 p.m.

-- Performance by City Rhythm, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, September 17

-- Opera Night, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, September 18

-- Performance by The Fireflies, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 19

-- Mass at the Shine Church of the Most Precious Blood followed by a procession with the Statue of San Gennaro, 6 p.m.

-- Performance by The Chicklets, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 20

-- Performance by Carol Douglas, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, September 21

-- Performance by Vito and the Elegants, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 22

-- Children's program with Mr. Scott, 11 a.m.

-- Neapolitan concert, 2 p.m.

-- Mulberry Street, The Musical, 4 p.m.

-- Performance by Just Friends, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 23

-- Concert honoring Joseph Mattone, 1 p.m.

-- The Annual Feast of San Gennaro Blood Drive, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

-- Performance by Jenna Esposito, 6 p.m.

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