Italian Festival Honoring Saint Could End After 80 Years

The Annual Feast of San Gennaro may soon be history for New York City's Little Italy. For the first time since 1926, a city commission has decided to recommend that the local government deny a permit for the 2007 event, which is planned for September 13 - 23. The opposition is based on complaints about noise, traffic, and other concerns voiced by the area residents and property owners. One board member even claimed that the neighborhood no longer cares about the Saint. Officials for the festival say that they did not know about last month's meeting and plan to attend another scheduled for tonight. They are confident that they will not be saying ciao to the celebration.

Ianuario Gennaro is the patron Saint of Naples. He survived several attempts to end his life around 305 A.D., a time when Christians were heavily persecuted. A frustrated cleric ordered his beheading, making him a martyr. His blood, which many believe was saved upon his death, is said to be reconstituted the weekend before the first Sunday of May. It is a tradition in Naples that if the blood does not liquefy, Mount Vesuvius will erupt during the year. Italian immigrants carried the tradition of celebrating his Sainthood to the U.S.

The event kicks off with a Grand Procession featuring a statue of San Gennaro. Following the religious ceremonies, participants enjoy live entertainment, food, and a cannoli-eating contest. Although the festival takes place in other U.S. cities, Little Italy is where the American version began. While the event grows, the Italian population of Little Italy declines. Italians make up approximately 7% of the area's current residents. What once was a bustling Italian American community has become a mere icon. Other cities, like Chicago, have also experienced a decrease in Little Italy replicas, some becoming obsolete.

What started as a religious observance has turned into an extravaganza for vendors. Event organizers object to the label "street fair," even though the commercialization has lead to city officials discussing its end. The change has not stopped millions from attending, even with the ban on alcohol sales and gambling. At one time, mobsters were in charge of the New York event, but indictments linked to financial fraud led to a new committee in 1996. Over the last 10 years, the festival has donated over 1.5 million dollars to various charities.

Mayor Bloomberg has indicated that the show will go on, despite the opposition. For now, it seems the festival mimics its Patron. How many times will it escape the chopping block?