Page "Italian American" Paragraph 100

In some Sicilian American communities, primarily Buffalo and New Orleans, Saint Joseph's Day ( March 19 ) is marked by parades and celebrations, including traditional " St. Joseph's tables ", where meatless dishes are served for the benefit of the communities ' poor.

Columbus Day is also widely celebrated, as are the feasts of some regional Italian patron saints.

In Boston's North End, the Italian immigrants celebrate the " Feast of all Feasts " Saint Anthony's Feast.

Started by Italian immigrants from Montefalcione, a small town near Naples, Italy in 1919, the feast is widely considered the largest and most authentic Italian Religious festival in the United States.

Over 100 vendors and 300, 000 people attend the feast over a 3 day period in August.

San Gennaro ( September 19 ) is another popular saint, especially among Neapolitans.

Santa Rosalia ( September 4 ), by immigrants from Sicily.

Immigrants from Potenza celebrate the San Rocco's Day ( August 16 ) feast at the Potenza Lodge in Denver the third weekend of August.

San Rocco is the patron saint of Potenza, as is San Gerardo.

Many still celebrate the Christmas season with a Feast of the Seven Fishes.

The Feast of the Assumption is celebrated in Cleveland's Little Italy on August 15.

On this feast day, people will pin money on a Blessed Virgin Mary statue as a symbol of prosperity.

The statue is then paraded through Little Italy to Holy Rosary Church.

For almost 25 years, Cleveland Bishop Anthony Pilla participated in the parade and Mass to celebrate his Italian heritage.

Bishop Pilla retired in April 2006, but continues to participate.