I am all for taking some time out for just plain FUN. I make it a point every year to go to the Annual San Gennaro Feast, Manhattan's biggest, most famous and longest running "festival." This year was the 80th Festival and that's one LONG time. If you've watched The Godfather, you've probably seen parts of it on TV. Being there, however, is a little different!
I always go with my daughter and the weather called for a bright, sunny day. One of those picture perfect days for strolling around the city. A little background: The San Gennaro Feast is held in the Little Italy section of Manhattan and covers many blocks. At the end, you end up in Chinatown. San Gennaro is the Patron St. of Naples and annually over one million people attend. The Statue of San Gennaro is paraded down the streets at one point and donations are made by the many people by pinning money on the long ribbons attached. It's permanent residence is a little church called "The Most Precious Blood Church."
What's so special about this feast that draws so many people? There are games to play, parades to watch and most importantly, FOOD. We have our favorite open air clam bar and after all these years and having tried most of the restaurants there, we love Da Nico's. If it's not on the menu, no problem, they will make it for you! Make a note of it to eat there if you're ever in New York City.
Well, the day DID start off as beautiful---on Long Island. An hour later just as our train had "landed" we ran into one of the worst rainstorms I've ever seen. We didn't think to bring umbrella's as they weren't calling for rain; they were SO wrong :(
We decided to wait it out. We stayed under awnings, got some coffee in a coffee shop and it was still pouring. We had two choices: Leave or go out and brave the driving rain. If you know me at ALL, you might know I'm going to stick it out. And then Laura had a brilliant idea. Garbage Bags. (All that college tuition is paying for itself!!). I'm not sure if the few people that were out had more fun watching US then they did the feast! But eventually the weather cleared. Here's some shots of the one Festival I NEVER miss:
I had to show you this dog, I pass him all the time and never knew what he stood for. He is a tribute dog to all the Search Dogs and dogs that have "passed" helping humans.
Not exactly "Singing in the Rain" but certainly laughing!
Did I mention it was POURING?
I got a whole DRESS out of my garbage bag. I believe this is called "Going with the Flow"
Sausage, Steak, Lamb and other foods to make huge sandwiches and shish kabobs. Row after row of these places. And don't forget Zeppole's go take home!
A Two Foot Woman? Who's going to fall for this?? We did, actually! She was a tiny West Indies woman and I blew her a kiss. I had to wonder what it feels like to be on exhibit.
St. San Gennaro
Sure, where were they in the RAIN? :)
Down at the end of the fair, we ended up in Chinatown and walked down Canal Street. If you've read some of my other blogs, you might remember that I'm always running into unusual things which is why I never plan my day. This day was no different----
To be continued....
Carole,
My last post before I hit the hay (and my book), WoW, what a wonderful time this festival looks like (except I'm a vegetarian, do they have lots of pizza and stuff there too?). The dog is very interesting...incredible colours.
And your fashionable attire, oh my, only in New York ! ((-:
I thought they stopped displaying unusual humans a long time ago.....she must feel rather strange being on display. I wonder where she works when the festival is over?
Ok, now You've got me wondering what you ran into.....is this payback for the ghost story I was telling? I don't do suspense well....
(((-:
Jo
A few years ago I was in N Y with a group and we happened upon the San Gennaro festival. We ate the most fabulous food and had a blast.
You and your daughter are troopers braving the rain in garbage bags! Funny, love the photos. I knew you would not let a little (ok, a lot) of rain ruin "your parade".
CAROLE: I used to go to this every year. The food is amazing, but I just couldn't stand the crowds anymore. If I knew that I could count on a storm, I would put on my garbage bag from the Provenzale collection and have at it. I'm sure that the streets had plenty of room to move during the heavy rains. Someday, I will go back and take my kids to the festival, but not until they are older. The festival is always filled with great food, but the unfortunate shrinking of Little Italy due to the China Town expansion has made it less enjoyable for me during the feast. BTW, I've been to Da Nico's amongst many others down there. My personal favorite is Fiorio's on the corner of Mulberry and Grand. We're probably going to try and plan a large gathering at Sal Anthony's during the Inman Conference. Thanks for sharing your experience with us, and of course your fashion tips!
Carole--Love the garbage bag look for NYC--If not chic, atleast dry! LOL
I was traveling for work and we attended this festival years ago...It is fun!! Thanks for sharing the photos!
Jo, We had so much fun, there was no way I was going to turn around and go home :) Oh, and they have pizza and all types of fish for you: clams, calamari, everything. I too wondered how the "Little Woman" was feeling about it but she was happy and smiling and sitting in a very comfortable little chair so I think she kind of liked the attention. I blew her a kiss and she blew it back :)
Sally, I wouldn't have thought of it but the day didn't call for ANY rain! I should carry them around because now I really know just how accurate the forecasters are :) Oh, I am always running into unexpected things....last time it was Alpacas. This time something completely different..... It's coming up.
Joan, I know you, you would have done the same thing :) Stayed and played and had a ball!
Katerina, It IS a good balance! As long as they let you have your way :)I am an impulse person too and the best things can happen on a spur of the moment whim.
Candy, You've got to come into the city...I can just TELL you would love it. And I'm such a good guide, goodness knows what we'll run into there.
Ah, Cynthia, I'm SURE I was there, wish I had known you then! I believe it is the longest running parade, longer then the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Next time you come to New York, let me know!
Adam, Yes, a new line of designer disposable "water resistant" gear is on it's way but I want to make it "Green." So no plastic. Chinatown did encroach on Little Italy but it took over The Bowery and maybe that's a good thing. The crowds in the parade were nothing compared to Canal Street. I took some shots of the original Vincents there (since 1904) but like the one in Carle Place better....I always loved the city and took the kids since they were little.
Laurie, I'm going to personally drag you in with me, you're missing way too much! Just tell me what you want to do---but unless I'm doing something special, I don't plan the day.
Teri, I'm glad you got to go, it is fabulous. I think we looked "shabby chic" :) People were laughing but so were we!
Lizette, I SO wish my house was put back together, this is a wonderful time to go! But I don't run around, I stroll.....I don't want to miss a thing. The knock off designer handbags have gone up---$30 now ;)
You better believe the next time I am up your way, you will get a call from me. Good night, I must get some sleep tonight.
OK, so how do you find the time to blog as you do, and still DO things, too? Amazing...
and your garb reminds me of a fashion show we did once, back in the eighties...!
MaryAnn, To me it's a wonderful festival and sort of a tradition. Rain or shine I'm there :) Thanks for your comment.
Cynthia, Anytime but we're not stopping there only, you get the whole tour :)
Andrew, Would a backward picture of a SIGN of a Zeppole be ok? My grandmother used to make them, they were SO good!
Can you see it? Don't get me started, I have so many more pictures :) Thanks for your comment.
Loretta, I love to blog, it's not a stressful thing for me at all. And I love reading posts, it's sort of my "down time" because I rarely watch TV.
Hi Carole,
Sounds like it was a nice time even though you did have some rain. Way to go making rain coats out of garbage bags, I bet that help save the day!! I have never been to New York City but would love to go sometime. My daughter has been twice and loves it there, I can see her moving there one day. My husband has also been a couple of times for business and tells me one day we will go!! Thanks for sharing!
It looks like great fun....garbage bags and all.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post, Forgiveness Isn't Easy Because it Requires Surrender, and for making a comment.
Sheron, I find myself in the oddest places :) Or they seem to find me. You were the one who told me what an Alpaca is, I had never seen or heard of one before!
Trace, That's exactly where I expect to see my daughter living, IF they can afford it. It's incredibly expensive to live there. (But I bet it's fun).
Dan, It was a lovely blog that made me think. Thank you for your comment, we had a wonderful time.
That is tooo funny, I love the "dress". We were just talking about the San Gennaro feast. I grew up in Bklyn, NY so this is something that is dear to my heart. It has been years tho since I have attended. Not crazy about all the crowds but the sausage and peppers and zeppoles are worth venturing out for. I could smell those wonderful smells even now.
Phyllis pafumi