STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Called the "Feast of All Feasts" by organizers, the San Gennaro street festival is ready to roll for 2015. The event, which attracts over a million revelers in a salute to the Patron Saint of Naples, Italy, is set for Sept. 10-20.
1. THE HISTORY
Little Italy's San Gennaro festival began in 1926, a celebration of Saint Januarius (translated from San Gennaro) by Italian American immigrants who settled in lower Manhattan. The feast day itself happens on Sept. 19, a date on which the saint was martyred in 305 A.D.
2. THE EXCITMENT
Tony Danza is the Grand Marshal of the Saturday, Sept. 12 Grand Procession. He will be accompanied by politicians, community big-wigs and a stream of festive details like the local marching band. This starts at 2 p.m. on the corner of Canal and Mulberry Streets, then goes along Mulberry to Houston Street.
3. THE FEAST DAY ITSELF
The central focus of the celebration takes place every Sept. 19 -- this year on a Saturday -- the official Saint Day. There is a mass at Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood at 109 Mulberry St. A procession with San Gennaro's statue at the fore travels through Little Italy.
4. THE FOOD
Not to mention the street treats like gelato and zeppole from stands, the San Gennaro festival is the one time a year that restaurants can extend their dining rooms onto the street (with a fee to the City, of course.) So, famed spots such as Ferrara's and Il Cortile (recently reopened after a massive gas leak) offer sidewalk service for that 11-day stretch. Says Annadale resident and Il Cortile waiter, "Come by and see me! I'll take care of you if you're from the Island!"
5. THE CANNOLI-EATING CONTEST
Sorry, that tradition is no more. Relatively new attraction, the all-you-can-eat-as-fast-as-you-can-eat showdown was in its 13th year last year. Last year's winner, Marcos Owens of Queens, downed 34 cannoli in 6 minutes, setting a record for the San Gennaro feast.
6. THE ENTIRE LINE-UP
Here are highlights of the San Gennaro feast. Live performances are scheduled in the Mulberry Street area typically from 5:30 p.m. until about 9:30 p.m. The full roster can can be found at San-Gennaro.org.
Thursday, Sept. 10: Opening Day
6 to 7 p.m. -- Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood sends its priests out to bless the businesses and vendors in the neighborhood for a successful Feast
Friday, Sept. 11
4 to 5 p.m. -- "9/11 Remembrance Ceremony" with a musical performance at Grand and Mott Streets
Saturday, Sept. 12
2 to 4 p.m. -- Grand Procession starts at Canal and Mulberry Streets with Tony Danza as Grand Marshal plus actor Gianni Russo and Miss Italia New York.
Staten Island's Joe Causi will broadcase a live radio show for WCBS 101.1 FM
4 to 5 p.m. -- Ferrara Cafe presents a Frank Sinatra-inspired cake
Saturday, Sept. 19
2 to 3 p.m. -- High Mass at 109 Mulberry St. is followed by a procession through Little Italy.
4 p.m. -- Ferrara Cafe shows off the world's largest gelato (ice cream) cone at the Performance Stage
7 to 10 p.m. -- Cousin Brucie hosts live show broadcase on SiriusXM radio
Sunday, Sept. 20
11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. -- Blood Drive co-sponsored by the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral held at St. Patrick's Basilica Youth Center, 268 Mulberry Street, located between Houston and Prince Streets.
2 p.m. to 8 p.m. -- Live entertainment including Sicilian folk music from "Villa Palagonia" scheduled from 4 to 5:30 p.m.