Thu 8/15 @ noon-10:30PM
Fri 8/16 @ 6PM-midnight
Sat 8/17 @ noon-11PM
Sun 8/18 @ noon-10PM
What can you say about the Feast in Little Italy, one of Cleveland’s signature summer events, which has been taking place since 1898?
Doubtless back then, it wasn’t the monstrous event it is now, with four days of food, drink, entertainment and games, filling several blocks of Mayfield Road and the Hoy Rosary church yard and hall, and extending down Murray Hill.
Technically it’s a religious festival that celebrates the Assumption of the body of Jesus’ mother Mary into heaven. The feast day is August 15, which this year opens the festival (last year it closed it). That’s the day of the solemn Mass at 10am at Holy Rosary where the bishop usually appears, followed by the procession through the neighborhood’s narrow, crowded streets, with both adults and children costumed to represent different regions of Italy, religious floats, children in Communion dress, priests and local politicians, and anyone who wants to join in the celebration following them, chanting Hail Marys.
For the non-religious, it’s mostly an eat-a-thon, earning its “Feast” designation, with food concessions from all the local restaurants and more, as well as live music (mostly cover bands and Italian music), food, rides and inflatables in the Holy Rosary parking, and a casino in the church hall. A candlelight procession and closing prayer caps the Feast on Sunday @ 9pm. Of course it’s free, so you can eat more!
Get more information here.
Cleveland, OH 44106