San Gennaro Feast Draws Thousands for Solemn High Mass and Street Revelry

Lead: Today, Little Italy’s annual Feast of San Gennaro culminated in a solemn High Mass at the Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood, drawing hundreds of worshippers and thousands of festivalgoers to Mulberry Street.

Nut Graf: The Solemn High Mass-held at 6 p.m. to honor Saint Januarius-underscored the festival’s blend of faith and festivity, as attendees gathered for traditional Italian fare, live music, and family-friendly attractions on the ninth day of the 11-day celebration.

Festival Highlights and Atmosphere

• Solemn High Mass: A candlelit procession carried the polychrome statue of San Gennaro through the church and into the streets, led by clergy and parishioners.
• Procession and Pageantry: Festival floats and brass bands paraded along Mulberry Street between Houston and Canal Streets, evoking Little Italy’s early 20th-century roots.

Culinary Delights and Entertainment

Food vendors remained busy into the evening, offering:

• Sausage-and-pepper sandwiches from Lucy’s Palace
• Crispy zeppoles and fried dough from Roll Up
• Classics from Alleva Dairy and Caffé Palermo

Live performances on the corner of Grand and Mott Streets featured local bands playing Neapolitan tunes and contemporary Italian-American favorites.

Weather and Attendance

Clear skies and comfortable temperatures brought record foot traffic to the festival. Organizers estimate over 30,000 visitors passed through Little Italy today, many pausing to attend Mass before returning to the street fair.

Festival Schedule (Through September 21)

• Daily live music and entertainment stages
• Carnival rides and games on side streets
• Religious activities including daily blessings and an evening rosary
• Grand Procession with actor Joe Piscopo as grand marshal (held September 13)

As the Feast continues through Sunday, vendors and performers prepare for the final weekend of celebration, culminating in the closing procession and a festive street party.