Grand Procession Leads San Gennaro Feast in Little Italy

Lead: The 99th annual Feast of San Gennaro celebrated its Grand Procession Saturday at 2 p.m. along Mulberry Street in Manhattan’s Little Italy, with grand marshal Joe Piscopo guiding floats, bands and the statue of Saint Gennaro before a crowd of thousands.

Nut Graf: What began in 1926 as a one-day block party has grown into an 11-day street festival honoring Italian heritage, faith and cuisine. Today’s procession underscores the enduring importance of cultural traditions in New York City’s evolving urban landscape.

Grand Procession Draws Crowds

Thousands lined Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets to watch the statue of Saint Gennaro carried beneath a canopy of red, white and green banners. Actor-comedian Joe Piscopo, this year’s grand marshal, rode atop a decorated float and led marching bands in a spirited parade that lasted more than an hour.

Visitors cheered as vintage fire trucks, ornate floats and costumed performers filed past family-run food stands. “It’s awesome, it’s so many people, beautiful,” said Rick Vavro of Austin, Texas as he sampled fried calamari.

Italian Pride on Mulberry Street

Mulberry Street came alive with the aromas of sausage and peppers, zeppoles and freshly rolled cigars. Fourth-generation gelato purveyor Ernest Lepore noted the festival’s role in preserving Italian customs: “It doesn’t have to be fancy, it has to be fun,” he said.

Restored storefronts and outdoor dining tables transformed the neighborhood into an open-air piazza, where visitors mingled with vendors and clergy during a high mass earlier this week.

Festival Highlights and Schedule

  • Blessing of the Stands kicked off the festivities Thursday evening.
  • Live music continues nightly, featuring Jessa V & Band and local opera performances.
  • Panel with Sylvester Stallone and “The Tulsa King” cast at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
  • Karaoke with DJ Bobby on Wednesday and food-eating contests Thursday.
  • Solemn High Mass and statue procession at the Church of the Most Precious Blood on Friday, Sept. 19.

The festival runs through Sunday, Sept. 21, offering Italian food, games and cultural events across 11 blocks of Little Italy.