National Geographic calls it “The Feast of All Feasts”! The North End’s famous Saint Anthony Feast is happening on August 24 – 26, 2012. This is the 93rd Anniversary of the Italian Religious Street Festival in honor of Saint Anthony Di Padua Da Montefalcione. The feast will be on Endicott, Thacher and North Margin Streets starting with the opening ceremonies on Friday, August 24th at 7:00 pm.
A full lineup of entertainment is planned including La Bande Itamia, Marc Antonio, La Bande Ambrosiani and Seabreeze featuring Stephen Savio. On Sunday, August 26th, the Grand Procession of Saint Anthony will start at noon and continue for 10 hours.
A special guest this year is Mary Ann Esposito who will have a culinary demonstration on Saturday, August 25th at 2pm followed by a book signing. Back this year is the Filippo Berio Culinary Pavilion and the Regina Pizzeria Open Air Piazza along with the new Ducali Outdoor Piazza.
On Monday, August 27, 2012, devotees will honor Santa Lucia (St. Lucy) with a 5pm procession and entertainment on the stage by The Reminisce.
The following posters and news release are courtesy of the Saint Anthony Society. See StAnthonysFeast.com for more information.
2012 Saint Anthony’s Feast Schedule Poster (pdf)
A special schedule is also available for the Filippo Berio Culinary Stage (pdf).
Official News Release:
93rd Annual Saint Anthony & SAINT LUCY FEASTS
Boston’s Largest Italian Festival Celebrates its 93rd Year with Special Events and Attractions
Friday, August 24 – Monday, August 27, 2012
The Saint Anthony & Saint Lucy Societies of Boston welcomes neighbors, friends and visitors to “continue the tradition” at the 93rd annual festival celebration on August 24 – 27 on Endicott, Thacher, and North Margin Streets in Boston’s North End.
Saint Anthony’s Feast is one of the oldest and largest neighborhood celebrations in America. This authentic Italian festival offers colorful parades; authentic Italian festival food; strolling singers; the Filippo Berio Culinary Pavilion; Italian folk dancing; the Pizzeria Regina Open Air Piazza; religious and cultural services and time honored customs throughout the weekend.
As part of the 93rd anniversary celebration, St. Anthony and St. Lucy Societies have highlighted special attractions in this year’s schedule:
Celebrity Chef Mary Ann Esposito
Join Celebrity Chef Mary Ann Esposito, creator and host of the PBS series, Ciao Italia, television’s longest running cooking show for a day of fun and interactive cooking demonstrations, recipe sharing and cookbook signing. Mary Ann will take you on a culinary journey as she prepares her favorite dishes and shares her stories of growing up in an Italian American home, on Saturday August 25th at 2:00 PM at the Filippo Berio Culinary Stage.
Following the demonstration Mary Ann will be signing a limited quantity of her newest cookbook: Ciao Italia Family Classics. Mary Ann returns to her family’s humble beginnings to bring you a treasure trove of more than 200 time-honored recipes. The book will be available for purchase and signing on Saturday afternoon.
The Filppo Berio Culinary Pavilion
Boston’s best chefs and the teachers and students of Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School will be showcasing their “Cucina Italiana” live on the Filippo Berio Culinary Stage all weekend.
Visit the Filippo Berio Marquee Tent throughout the weekend for delicious recipe suggestions, helpful hints, coupons and special tastings – choose from Filippo Berio’s olive oil varieties, each carefully crafted to inspire your next appetizer, snack, meal, or dessert.
Dip freshly baked breads from Parziale Bakery, one of the North End’s oldest and most famous bakeries and taste why for nearly 150 years Filippo Berio Olive Oil has been the essential ingredient when you want to add a little extra to any recipe.
Regina Pizzeria Open Air Piazza
Since 1926 this authentic award winning Pizzeria has been dishing out pizza the old fashioned way – with crispy crust, tangy tomato sauce and perfectly aged cheese – Now you can enjoy the Regina Pizza experience Al Fresco – pull up a seat and enjoy an imported ice cold Peroni Beer or a glass of the sumptuous Bolla Valpolicella or the delicate Soave Bolla at the Pizza Regina outdoor seating area open only during Saint Anthony’s Feast!
Saint Anthony’s Grand Procession
The highlight of the weekend is the 10 hour Grand Procession of Saint Anthony beginning at 12:00 Noon on Sunday. The statue of Saint Anthony is borne on the shoulders of the members and devotees through the winding streets of the North End along with marching bands, drum & bugle corps, color guards, floats and hundreds of followers. The procession begins and ends with showers of confetti, streamers and balloons cascading from the rooftops.
For a complete schedule of events visit our new website: www.stanthonyfeast.com.
Saint Anthony’s Feast and the North End have it all. Whether you are out for a night on the town with that special someone or out with the family, Saint Anthony’s Feast is a delight for all who attend. This summer, spend some time in the North End of Boston for four full days of free activities at this, the most Authentic of Italian Street Festivals: The Feast of Saint Anthony and Santa Lucia.
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Amazing feast, I live in Montefalcione and I love your tradition. If do you want some info about Montefalcione you can see http://www.montefalcione.org.
Enjoy yourself.