Feast of San Gennaro kicks off in Little Italy, Manhattan Thursday

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

Democratic vice presidential candidate Walter Mondale pins money on the base of the statue of San Gennaro, Sunday, Sept. 19, 1976AP

Sen. Walter Mondale, democratic vice presidential candidate, reaches cut to shake hands as he is engulfed in crowd at the San Gennaro festival in Little Italy Sept. 19, 1976.AP

People crowd Mulberry Street in New York during the annual San Gennaro Feast in New York's Little Italy, Sept. 1979. (AP Photo)AP

People stroll along Mulberry Street, decorated for the upcoming San Gennaro Feast in New York's Little Italy, Sept. 9, 1995.AP

Robert Diaz poses with a variety of cannoli while working for a vendor at the Feast of San Gennaro on Mulberry Street in New York's Little Italy neighborhood, Sept. 15, 2016AP

People stroll down checking out the offerings from food vendors Mulberry Street during the annual Feast of San Gennaro in New York's Little Italy neighborhood, Sept. 15, 2016AP

Crowds of people file file through a narrow corridor between food vendor and bars on Mulberry Street during the first day of the annual Feast of San Gennaro in Little ItalyAP

Four year-old Abby Droge of San Diego, Calif., ponders what flavor of gelato she wants on Mulberry Street during the Feast of San Gennaro on Sept. 15, 2016AP

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