The largest Italian-American fair in the United States restarts with a legendary milestone. The Feast of San Gennaro, one of the most representative events of the Italian community in the Big Apple, has reached its 100th edition, and for the occasion, celebrations are expanding in duration and scope.

From the early hours of opening, while workers finalize preparations in the outdoor areas, New Yorkers and tourists wander among the stands, taking the opportunity to preview the feast’s main attractions: pizza, pasta, spaghetti with meatballs, fried calamari and raw oysters, powdered sugar zeppole, bomboloni and brioches, arancini, and Sicilian cannoli. Until September 27, over 300 stands, open from 11 AM to 11 PM, will stretch for fifteen blocks along Mulberry Street, Mott Street, and Baxter Street.

The calendar is packed with events: from live music to rides, to religious processions. The solemn mass in honor of the patron Saint at the Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood (113 Baxter Street) is scheduled for the 19th, while the procession with allegorical floats and the statue of San Gennaro and a live concert from Naples are on the 26th. On the 21st at 7:30 PM, MORE Opera will return for the fourth time to the feast, while Jenna Esposito will close the fair on the 27th at 6 PM.

The feast, officially established in 1926, was originally a religious commemoration to keep traditions alive and collect offerings for the poorest in the neighborhood, especially Neapolitans, at a time when Italian immigrants were marginalized in society. Over time, the event transformed and expanded to include the rest of the Italian-American community, also thanks to the work of the non-profit organization Children of San Gennaro, founded in 1996, which successfully carried this legacy into the future. Entry is completely free. Payment is only for purchases at the stands, and it is recommended to bring cash.