Here in Boston's North End, residents and visitors are celebrating the 103rd Fishermen's Feast this weekend. Part Catholic, part pagan, this celebration brings in hundreds of people from all over the area to participate in the street fairs, food, music, and whatever else the feast has to offer.
Two other feasts over the past two weekends (Saint Agrippina and Madonna della Cava) were set in my immediate neighborhood, which, along with the celebration, can pose some inconveniences, but overall, they're a reason for the neighbors to get together and have a good time. The food is abundant and delicious (it IS held in an Italian-American neighborhood, afterall!) and everyone enjoys the sights, sounds, and smells.
"The Fisherman's Feast is an annual event that began in Boston in 1910 and is based on a tradition that goes back to the 16th century in Sciacca Sicily. The Feast is based on the devotion of the fishermen from Sciacca to the Madonna del Soccorso (Our Lady of Help). When the fishermen immigrated to America in the early 1900's, they brought their traditions with them. Today's Feast is much the same as it was over 100 years ago with lights adorning the street and the smell of sausage in the air. The current Feast is organized by the descendants of those original immigrants and still includes a procession of the Madonna through the streets of the North End." [from Fishermen's Feast.com]
The 103rd Fisherman’s Feast opened on Thursday night, August 15, 2013 in Boston’s North End on North, Fleet and Lewis Streets. The statue of La Madonna Del Soccorso di Sciacca left her permanent chapel for a solemn procession to Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park for the Annual Blessing of the Fishing Waters. This year’s procession was dedicated to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings. Adding to the opening night, the Annual Italian American of the Year Award was presented to Mayor Thomas M. Menino. [from North End Waterfront.com]
[photos from North End Waterfront.com]
3 comments:
Shaw... great pic on the banner of a wonderful FLOTUS...
I am sure it will be seen as evidence of the take over of the America media by the liberal elites.
I must admit to a little jealousy of life inside and ethnic community and the joy it brings.
We have so little of that in the south west.
Thankfully Mexico meets most that need for me.
Peace...
What fun for you to live so near these festivities! Reminds me of The Feast of San Gennaro in Manhattan's Little Italy.
It struck me as funny, however, that the only food specifically mentioned in the commentary on a FISHERMAN'S FEAST was SAUSAGE.
Please tell us about the prawns, crab, lobster, mussels, clams. scallops, calamari, octopus, codfish and other wondrous delights of a SEAFOOD festival in the streets of Boston.
How are those things prepared, presented and enjoyed? What gustatory wonders accompany the seafood.
SAUSAGE! Hmmmmmph!
I love good Italian sausage, but at SEAFOOD Festival?l?!?!?
Tell us about the breadstuffs, the pastries, the gelato, the granita. ;-)
Are people still dancing the tarantella in the streets?
At any rate how GOOD for BOSTON to stage -- and enjoy -- these events, despite what happened at the marathon. Courage in the face of danger and oppression is the best medicine for wounded spirits.
The small family restaurants in the North End are worth the trip to Boston.
Looks like a lot of fun and I'm sure the food was great.
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