81ST ANNUAL FEAST OF SAN GENNARO

TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 11 - 21, 2008

The 81st Annual Feast of San Gennaro, New York City's oldest, biggest and most famous religious street festival, will be celebrated in 2008 starting Thursday, September 11 and continuing for 11 days and continuing 11 days through to Sunday, September 21.

Presented annually since 1996 by Figli de San Gennaro, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, this years Feast will again attract 1-million people to the streets of Little Italy in the annual salute to the Patron Saint of Naples - San Gennaro. The street festivities - including religious processions with the statue of San Gennaro, parades. Free entertainment, food stands and a cannoli eating contest - are capped on Friday, September 19 - the Official Feast Day -- with a celebratory Mass honoring San Gennaro, followed by a candlelit procession as the Statue of San Gennaro is carried from it's permanent home in the Most Precious Blood Church on Melberry Street through the streets of Little Italy.

"Each year the beloved Feast of San Gennaro brings the world to Little Italy and Little Italy to the world," said Joseph Mattone, President of Figli de San Gennaro, Inc. "The Feast is a time for rememberence, reconciliation, and a time for celebration. "The excellent food, free musical entertainment and the excitement will all be there again this year, bigger and better than ever. On behalf of Figli de San Gennaro, I invite people of all backgrounds and ethnicities to join us in September in New York City's Little Italy to help celebrate Italian culture and heritage."

Photos by Battman Studio

September 11-21, 2008
New York City

Indoor and outdoor dining at 35 of Little Italy's most famous restaurants. More than 300 licenced street vendors selling international foods, official Feast of San Gennaro, New York City and Little Italy souvenirs.

"One of New York City's major cultural attractions!"

"Fun for the entire family!"

"A celebration of the Patron Saint of Naples!"

Most Precious Blood Church

Entertainment On Outdoor Bandstand

Rock Bands

Pop Singers

Annual Cannoli Eating Competition!

Live Radio Broadcasts!

The Feast is easily accessible by public transportation.

For information, call (212) 768-9320

Presented by Figli de San Gennaro Inc., a not-for-profit organization that distributes it's financial support to underprivilaged children and parochial schools of New York.