There’s nothing like it for the length of time and the multitude of crowds from miles around that it attracts. Two million people are expected to visit the San Gennaro festival in 'La Piccola Italia' which spans Canal and Houston Streets on Mulberry Street from September 11 thru the 21st.
San Gennaro is the Patron Saint of Naples, Italy and
everyone else has adopted him in their hearts. The official Saint’s Day is
September 19th when a procession emanates from the Most Precious Blood Church
after a celebratory mass. True to Italian tradition, the statue is carried in
the streets with a band leading the parade. San Gennaro was martyred for his
faith in 305 A.D.
Ever since the first one was held on September 19, 1926 by
newly arrived immigrants from Naples as a one day feast, it has grown to 11
days that generates over $1.8-million to worthy organizations in all five
boroughs and the tri-state area to help the needy, the young and causes such as
services for children and education in the Little Italy community. The Feast of
San Gennaro generates more money to charity than any other festival does.
No visit to Little Italy is complete without a visit to the
Italian American Museum that sits on the site of the former Banca Stabile on
the corner of Mulberry and Grand Streets. The founder, Dr. Joseph Scelsa has
turned the disused storefront into a vibrant repository of Italo-American
culture as well as from ‘the old country’. What’s new is exposition space that
doubles as a presentation room. Another new offering are classes of the Italian
language that will be held in the exhibition space. Artifacts found in the
Museum include the original vault of the Banca Stabile bank as well as various
exhibits.
The organizers, the Figli di San Gennaro, Inc. (Sons of San
Gennaro) have established the following special
events as focal points of the annual feast.
Highlights
Thursday, September 11, Opening Day
2 - 3 pm - the 13th Annual Cannoli Eating Competition is
held from
6 - 7 pm - Blessing of the Stands of vendors, shops and
other venues along the feast route with a procession
Saturday, September 13
2:00 PM – Grand Procession parade with the Statue of San
Gennaro led with Grand Marshalls
Friday, September 19 - Official Feast Day
6:00 PM — Celebratory High Mass honoring San Gennaro in Most
Precious Blood Church, the National Sanctuary of San Gennaro
7:00 PM — Religious Procession with the Statue of San
Gennaro carried through the streets of the Feast.
Sunday, September 21 is the Annual Feast of San Gennaro
Blood Drive
