PHOTOS: 98th annual Feast of San Gennaro kicks off in Little Italy

The feast has been an annual tradition in Little Italy since 1926
The feast has been an annual tradition in Little Italy since 1926. Photo credit Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – The 98th annual Feast of San Gennaro commenced in Little Italy on Thursday with its dazzling display of Italian heritage set to continue until next weekend.

The 11-day celebration runs until Sunday, Sept. 22. The Grand Procession will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, with celebrity chef Anne Burrell as grand marshal. See the calendar of events here.

The “feast of all feasts” celebrates the life of San Gennaro of Naples, who was Bishop of Benevento, Italy, and was martyred in 305 AD, organizers said.

Running along Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets, the fair features a wide array of Italian culture, from music, games and live events to tempting foods like pizza, pasta, sausage, cannoli, zeppole and gelato.

Vendors serving spicy rigatoni and fresh zeppole line the route along Mulberry Street
Vendors serving spicy rigatoni and fresh zeppole line the route along Mulberry Street. Photo credit Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images
The annual Feast of San Gennaro kicked off in Little Italy on Sept. 12, 2024
The annual Feast of San Gennaro kicked off in Little Italy on Sept. 12, 2024. Photo credit Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images
Italian Americans have been holding the annual feast on Mulberry Street for nearly 100 years
Italian Americans have been holding the annual feast on Mulberry Street for nearly 100 years. Photo credit Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images
Cannoli on display on Sept. 12, 2024
Cannoli on display on Sept. 12, 2024. Photo credit Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images
The event runs along Mulberry Street, between Canal and Houston streets
The event runs along Mulberry Street, between Canal and Houston streets. Photo credit Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images
Fresh pasta is prepared on Sept. 12, 2024
Fresh pasta is prepared on Sept. 12, 2024. Photo credit Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images
A vendor prepares an Italian sausage sandwich at the festival
A vendor prepares an Italian sausage sandwich at the festival. Photo credit Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images
Pizza on display at the festival on Sept. 12, 2024
Pizza on display at the festival on Sept. 12, 2024. Photo credit Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images
Vendors serve a customer at the street fair on Sept. 12, 2024
Vendors serve a customer at the street fair on Sept. 12, 2024. Photo credit Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images
Featured Image Photo Credit: Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images