The 2022 Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy will run from Thusday, September 15th through Sunday, September 25th. The Grand Marshall for the 2022 Feast of San Gennaro is is Former NASA Astronaut, Michael J. Massimino. This year’s theme will be Celebrating America and Honoring Our Armed Forces!
Johnny Mandolin & Friends kicking-off the Festival on Thursday, September 15th from 5:00 to 6:30pm.
The Blessing of the Stands will take place on Thursday, September 15th at 6:00pm.
This will be the 24th year for the annual Cannoli Eating Contest. It will take place on Friday, September 16th at 1:00pm.
The Grand Procession with the Statue of San Gennaro will take place on Saturday, September 17th from 2:00 to 4:00pm.
The Solemn High Mass celebrating the patron Saint of Naples will take place on Monday, September 19th at 6:00pm.
The 3rd annual Zeppole Eating Competition, sponsored by ‘Danny on the Corner’, will take place on Wednesday, September 21st at 1:00pm.
The 2nd annual Pizza Eating Contest will take place on Friday, September 23rd at 1:00pm sponsored by Upside Pizza.
The 5th annual Meatball Eating Contest sponsored by Alleva Dairy will take place on September 25th at 1:00pm, along with a vocal tribute to Frank Sinatra at 2:00pm.
Taking a look back at a little history of the Feast, “At the turn of the 20th century when Italian immigrants settled on the lower east side of Manhattan each region settled on a different street. The Neapolitans settled on Mulberry St.”
“In 1926 with keeping their Neapolitan traditions they decided to have a one day block party for their patron saint and protector of Naples, San Gennaro which continued year after year something that has now and for decades become not only a New York icon but a world known 11 day event which stretches throughout 11 blocks of the Little Italy neighborhood.”
“For generations this feast has always been an important part of our neighborhood not only representing the Saint Himself but also representing our ancestors, our culture and our traditions.”
Saint Gennaro was Bishop of Benevento, Italy and died a martyr in 305AD during the persecution spearheaded by Emperor Diocletian. His body is preserved in Naples, where he is honored as the city’s principal patron.
The Feast of San Gennaro takes place on Mulberry Street betweenCanal and Houston, and on Hester Street between Baxter and Centre Streets ~ and Grand Street between Baxter Street and Centre Market Place. Honorary guests TBA.
Follow The Feast of San Gennaro on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Take a look at progress on the renovation at Italian American Museum located at 155 Mulberry Street, Little Italy.