The Feast of San Gennaro has come to Little Italy in New York City for its 86th year.From September 13 through September 23, visitors can take part in a celebration of Italian culture and cuisine in the Big Apple's very own Italian area.
The San Gennaro feast is expected to attract more than one-million people from New York and around the world as they watch parades, try out tasty Italian delicacies at restaurants and cafes, and even witness or participate in a cannoli-eating and pizza-eating contests. There will also be several musical performances, religious processions, rides, games and more.
The main even of San Gennaro takes place on September 19, which is the official Saint Day. This day includes a Mass at Most Precious Blood Church, followed by a procession in which the statue of San Gennaro is carried through the streets of Little Italy.
"This Feast of San Gennaro holds a special place in the place of Italian people everywhere," says Joseph Mattone, President of Figli di San Gennaro, Inc. "It is a festive period of faith and redemption, a time for remembrance and reconciliation, and a time for celebration. The delicious food, the free musical entertainment that reflects Italian-American culture and heritage are all there. The Feast brings the world to Little Italy and Little Italy to the world."
The feast takes place along Mulberry Street, between Canal Street and Houston Street and on Grand Street, between Mott and Baxter Street, and well as on Hester Steet, between Mott and Baxter Streets.
There will be several events taking place during San Gennaro.
Here is a list of the main events taking place throughout the feast, accordin to the official San Gennaro website
Saturday, September 15
(Grand Procession)
2 PM - A colorful parade with floats, marching bands, musical entertainers and the Statue of San Gennaro through the streets of Little Italy.
The Grand Marshals, who will be riding on floats, will be: the legendary singer CONNIE FRANCIS, NYS Comptroller THOMAS P. DiNAPOLI, and TV personality TONI SENECAL, host of "Toni On New York" (seen Saturdays at 7 PM on WLNY-TV and Sundays at 5:30 AM on WCBS-TV).
Honored guests, also riding on floats, will be noted soprano CRISTINA FONTANELLI and TV news correspondent DEBRA ALFARONE.
Wednesday, September 19
(Official Feast Day)
5 PM -- A Celebratory High Mass in honor of San Gennaro in Most Precious Blood Church, the National Sanctuary of San Gennaro
6 PM -- A Religious Procession in which the
Statue of San Gennaro is carried through
the streets of the Feast.
Sunday, September 23
(Annual Feast of San Gennaro Blood Drive)
11:30 AM - 6:30 PM - Figli di San Gennaro and The Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral
Co-Sponsor The Annual Feast of San Gennaro Blood Drive
at St. Patrick's Basilica Youth Center, 268 Mulberry Street,
(between Houston and Prince Streets)
The following is a schedule of free entertainment events taking place during the Feast of San Gennaro
Saturday, September 15
(Special Event)
GRAND PROCESSION
2:00 PM
Colorful floats with Grand Marshals CONNIE FRANCIS,
NYS Comptroller THOMAS P. DINAPOLI and TV personality TONI SENECAL.
Special guests: TV News Reporter DEBRA ALFARONE and singer CRISTINA FONTANELLI
2:00 PM
MICHAEL CASTALDO in concert
4:00 PM
Meet and Greet with the legendary CONNIE FRANCIS
7:00 - 10:00 PM
WCBS-FM Live Radio Broadcast hosted by JOE CAUSI
Sunday, September 16
1:00 PM
THE ROCKNROLL CHORUS
an amazing Acapella singing group
7:00 PM
Back to the '50s concert with JUST FRIENDS
Monday, September 17
7:00 PM
Back to the 50's concert featuring NOSTALGIA
Tuesday, September 18
7:00 PM
ENRICO CARUSO OPERA NIGHT
JOHN CARELLI, JACQUELINE BALLARIN, JOSHUA BENEVENTO, TED FEDERLE, MANNA KNJOI, JUSTYNA GIERMOLA, LA TOYA LEWIS, ERNEST REVELL, IVAN RIVERA, ADAM STRUBE, TED TELFORD, JACQUELINE THOMPSON, CHERYL WARFIELD and host VINCENT RICCIARDI. Keyboard: DAVID MAIULLO
Wednesday, September 19
(Special Event)
FEAST DAY
6:00 PM
SOLEMN HIGH MASS celebrating San Gennaro
Most Precious Blood Church 112 Baxter St.
Soloists: Anthony Del Campo and Cheryl Warfield
7:00 PM
RELIGIOUS PROCESSION with Statue of San Gennaro
Starting Point: Most Precious Blood Church
109 Mulberry St
All Day (12 noon to 8:00 PM)
CANNOLI GIVE-AWAY DAY
Cannolis (while they last) courtesy of FERRARA BAKERY
Grand St, between Mott & Mulberry Sts
7:30 PM
The fantastic TEO RICCIARDELLI in concert
Thursday, September 20
1:00 PM
ANNUAL PIZZA EATING COMPETITION
Pizzas to be prepared by the Mulberry Street Bar
3:00 PM
CRISTINA FONTANELLI in concert
7:00 PM
Concert featuring A SOUND AFFAIR
Friday, September 21
Grand Street Merchants to present food samplings and tastings
5:00 PM
Preview of new stage musicals CHRISTOPHER: THE COLUMBUS YOU NEVER KNEW by Earl Wilson, Jr. and ON KENTUCKY AVENUE by Adam and Jeree Wade. Performers: ZACK DOBBINS, COURTNEY ANN SIMMONS, FELIPE TAVOLARO, TY STEPHENS, JEREE WADE, C KELLY WRIGHT. Keyboard: FRANK OWEN
7:00 PM
VITO PICCONE & THE ELEGANTS
Saturday, September 22
1:00 PM
FRANK SINATRA TRIBUTE with ERIC DeLAURO, JIMMY GEANEY, RUSS MARTONE, GARY RUSSO (The 2nd Avenue Sinatra) and MIKE SERGIO.
Hosted by GIANNI RUSSO
7:00 - 10:00 PM
Live Sirius Satellite Radio Broadcast
hosted by COUSIN BRUCIE (BRUCE MORROW)
with special guests and celebrity interviews
Sunday, September 23
3:00 PM
ROCCO MESITO live radio broadcast
6:00 PM
JENNA ESPOSITO in performance
