Boston’s North End, a neighborhood renowned for its rich Italian heritage, transforms into a vibrant spectacle during the feast season that unfolds each August. This traditional celebration draws both locals and tourists, creating a unique atmosphere infused with food, faith, and festivity.
The feast season officially kicks off in June, but it truly reaches its zenith in August when the North End becomes a thriving hub of activities centered around multi-day festivals. According to Dave O’Donnell, spokesperson for the city’s tourism bureau, Meet Boston, these feasts inject a much-needed boost into the late summer period, providing an excellent opportunity for visitors to delve into the district’s authentic traditions. O’Donnell noted that while overall tourism might slow down in August, hundreds of thousands find their way to the North End specifically for this festive season, contributing significantly to regional visitation.
Visitors come for an array of attractions that characterize the feasts. This includes everything from enchanting flying angels and statues of saints adorned with dollar bills to neighborhood-wide meatball competitions that captivate attendees.
Throughout the summer, from now until early September, revelers can choose from various feasts occurring weekly within the North End. This weekend, for instance, hosts the St. Agrippina di Mineo Feast on Hanover Street, promising a delightful experience.
For those seeking a mellow introduction to the feasts, the Madonna Della Cava Feast offers a fantastic first-time experience from August 8 to August 10. Organized by the Society of the Madonna Della Cava, this smaller yet charming celebration coincides with a similar event in Pietraperzia, Sicily. Attendees can enjoy the festive atmosphere with a parade, local music performances, and a plethora of nearly 100 street vendors selling food, drinks, and unique souvenirs.
Food lovers will find their paradise at the Fisherman’s Feast of the Madonna Del Soccorso di Sciacca, running from August 14 to August 17. A must-try event within this feast is the annual meatball contest, which requires guests to come prepared with a $10 bill. This contest showcases entries from ten local Italian restaurants, each vying for the title of ‘best meatball.’ Visitors can sample each meatball entry and cast their votes to determine the people’s choice award. Aside from the meatball competition happening on August 16, the feast features a variety of additional culinary delights, including grilled kabobs, pizza, cannoli, and much more.
In addition to feasting, there’s a chance to reveal culinary secrets at the cooking stage, where professional chefs share their techniques with eager participants. For those looking for a more laid-back experience, the beer garden provides a perfect spot to unwind, but attendees should not miss the feast’s signature event, the “Flight of the Angel,” scheduled for Sunday evening, August 17, at 9 p.m. The moment is marked by two children dressed as angels reciting Italian devotion prayers from a North Street fire escape. Following this, a child is hoisted down from a third-story window, creating a magical spectacle as confetti showers the crowd below. The excitement is particularly personal for Louis Strazzullo, co-chairman of the feast, who anticipates his daughter Lucy’s participation as one of the side angels this year.
For those who thrive on the hustle and bustle of large gatherings, the St. Anthony’s Feast from August 28 to August 31 is an event not to be missed. Dubbed “The Feast of all Feasts,” this celebration draws over 250,000 visitors annually, making it one of the most significant events in the North End. The weekend is filled with a variety of delicious foods including pizza, substantial arancini, pasta, and sweet dishes like chocolate ravioli and zeppole. In addition to food, there are games of skill offering fun prizes and a continuous lineup of live music throughout the event.
The highlight of the St. Anthony’s Feast is the grand procession, a thrilling sight involving eight men carrying a 600-pound statue of St. Anthony. As the procession moves through the North End, attendees cover the statue in money while a marching band accompanies the event, creating an electric atmosphere. Mike Bosco, a member of the feast committee, invites everyone to join in on the celebratory spirit, emphasizing that “during that weekend, we consider everybody Italian.”
Finally, the San Gennaro Feast, taking place from September 5 to September 7, brings the summer festivities to a close. This early September celebration promises an abundance of music, food, drinks, and dancing, featuring a prominent procession with a golden bust of San Gennaro that was blessed by the late Pope Francis. As Boston’s big moving day falls on September 1, friends and families can set aside their boxes and revel in one last night of summer celebration before the autumn season settles in.
The feast season in Boston’s North End not only highlights the area’s vibrant Italian culture but also fosters a sense of community and shared joy among all who partake in the festivities. Each feast offers a unique combination of food, culture, tradition, and entertainment, ensuring that there truly is something for everyone to enjoy as summer draws to a close.
image source from：wbur
