New York City’s longest-running and most revered religious outdoor festival in the United States, the Feast of San Gennaro is in its 86th year. Running from Sept 13-23rd in the streets of historic Little Italy, the feast is a time to celebrate Italian-American culture and heritage through delicious food, colorful parades, and free musical performances. Check out these eight events happening during the festive 11-day celebration. By Carly Petrone.

Sat., Sept. 15th – Grand Procession

Parade starts at Canal and Mulberry Sts
Proceeds north on Mulberry to Houston St.

Kicking off at 2:00 p.m., the Grand Procession will take place with parade floats, marching bands, and celebrity appearances. Grand Marshals Connie Francis, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and WCBS-TV’s Toni Senecal will be on hand, along with special guests Debra Alfarone and singer Cristina Fontanelli.

Wed., Sept. 19th – Feast Day

Most Precious Blood Church
109 Mulberry St.
New York, NY

 A Celebratory High Mass in honor of San Gennaro will take at Most Precious Blood Church, the National Sanctuary of San Gennaro. At 6 p.m. a procession in which the Statue of San Gennaro is carried through the streets of the Feast will unfold. As far as entertainment goes, a capella group The RocknRoll Chorus will perform starting at 1  p.m., and later that evening, the ‘Back to the 50s’ concert with Just Friends will rock the streets starting at 7 p.m.

Thurs., Sept. 20th – Pizza Eating Competition

Feast Performance Stage
Corner of Grand and Mott Sts.
New York, NY

You can’t go to Little Italy without eating some pizza. From 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. employees from the local cafes, restaurants, and boutiques will eat as many pizza slices as they can in eight minutes. This year, all the pies will be provided by Mulberry Street Bar. Think you can take them? Stop by one of the many local pizzerias after to enjoy your own pie. At 7 p.m. there will be a concert by A Sound Affair.

Fri., Sept. 21 – Free Food & Shows

Grand Street Merchants will present food samplings and tastings throughout the day. At 5 p.m. there will be a preview of new stage musicals Christopher: The Columbus You Never Knew by Early Wilson, Jr., and On Kentucky Avenue by Adam and Jeree Wade.

Sat., Sept. 22 – Frank Sinatra Tribute

Feast Performance Stage
Corner of Grand and Mott Sts.
New York, NY

The Frank Sinatra Tribute with Eric DeLauro, Jimmy Geaney, Russ Martono, Mike Sergio and Gary Russo (the 2nd Ave. Sinatra) will begin at 1 p.m. Later on, WCBS-FM’s Cousin Brucie will host a Live Sirius Satellite Radio Broadcast with special guests and celebrity interviews.

Sun., Sept. 23 – San Gennaro Blood Drive

St. Patrick’s Basilica Youth Center
268 Mulberry Street
11:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Figli di San Gennaro and The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral will co-Sponsor The Annual Feast of San Gennaro Blood Drive. To sign up in advance, call 1-800-Red Cross or visit redcrossblood.org.

Sept. 23 – Concert by Jenna Esposito

Feast Performance Stage
Corner of Grand and Mott Sts.
New York, NY

As the Feast draws to a close on Sunday, popular singer Jenna Esposito will sing a selection of Italian folk songs. She will also perform songs made famous by Italian-American vocalists.

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Carly Petrone is a freelance writer living in New York City.