The story of Little Italy’s Feast of San Gennaro is the story of how Italian immigrants became American

The Feast of San Gennaro in Manhattan's Little Italy celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Founded in 1926, the festival on Mulberry Street is the longest running and largest Italian festival in the United States.

Susanna Granieri reports that the event serves as a reflection of the cultural assimilation of Italian immigrants. Between 1881 and 1920, more than 4.5 million Italians moved to America, with many southern Italians settling on the Lower East Side. These immigrants faced challenges including overcrowded housing, employment difficulties, and discrimination. Granieri notes that southern Italian Catholic practices often faced suspicion from Irish Catholics during this period.

The modern festival combines centuries old rituals with commercial elements, such as vendors selling shirts featuring quotes from popular films and performers singing classic songs. Food vendors also sell traditional Italian American dishes like sausage and peppers and chicken parm subs to locals and tourists.