New York’s City’s largest festival, The Feast of San Gennaro, begins this Thursday, September 14th and runs for 11 days until September 24, 2017. This year marks the festival’s 91st anniversary since it began in 1926, when groups of Italian immigrants settled in what is now known as New York City’s “Little Italy.”

The New York festival, a 11-day salute to the patron saint of Naples, is run by Figli di San Gennaro (Children of San Gennaro), a non-profit organization devoted to preserving the spirit and faith of the early Italian community. More than one-million people from around the world flock to the Feast of San Gennaro to participate in the parades, religious processions, musical performances — and, of course, to chow down on the variety of Italian foods offered.

So that you don’t miss out on any of the excitement, we’ve compiled a list of the Top 10 things Not to Miss at the Feast of San Gennaro:

1. Tony Danza serving food at Alleva, the restaurant he co-owns – all week!

Image courtesy Figli di San Gennaro

Alleva, known as America’s oldest cheese store, has been producing homemade ricotta and mozzarella cheese since 1892. This is just one of the things that attracted the “Who’s the Boss” star, Tony Danza, to the Italian restaurant.

As the co-owner, Danza will be serving food to festival visitors all week — meats, cheeses, pastas, you name it! He is just one friendly face among the millions that you can be sure to encounter at the feast.

2. Blessing of the Stands

The Blessing of the Stands will occur on opening day of the feast, September 14th, at 6:00 PM. During this event, a Parish Priest parades through the festival blessing all of the shops, restaurants, vendors, and merchants so that they may have an enjoyable and successful feast.

The Blessing of the Stands is meant to kick-start the joyous week to come.

3. Annual Cannoli Eating Competition

Image courtesy Figli di San Gennaro

The feast’s annual cannoli eating competition, brought to the festival by Ferrara NYC, begins at 2:00 sharp on September 15th. The goal of the contest is simple: to beat out of all the contenders by eating the most cannolis in six minutes flat. Although there is no prize, the winner scores serious gloating rights and a delicious mouthful of Italian sweets.

To sign up for the event, call 212-764-6330 (and make sure to prepare your stomach).

4. The Grand Procession

Image courtesy Figli di San Gennaro

The Roman Catholic Grand Procession of the festival begins at 2:00 PM on September 16th, featuring Chazz Palminteri as Grand Marshal. The parade presents various floats, traditional dress from regions across Italy, and gondolas. It will be accompanied by numerous marching bands, such as Cathedral All Girls High School, The Giglio Band, Red Mike Festival Band and the Xavier Marching Band.

As part of the procession, The Statue of San Gennaro will be carried from its permanent home in the Most Precious Blood Church through the streets of Little Italy.

5. Opera Night

New Yorkers won’t have to head to the Metropolitan Opera House for their dose of music. The festival will present an Opera Night on September 18th, beginning at 7:00 PM.

Some of the performers include: Manna KnJoi, Megan Browning, Cooper Grodin and David Rodriguez — all extremely talented and unique vocalists.

6. Good Omen Announcement

On the morning of September 19th, hosts of the festival will announce the liquefaction of San Gennaro’s 1,712 year-old blood at the church where it’s kept: the Naples Cathedral. The blood of San Gennaro, who died in 305 A.D., is kept in a vial and liquefies three times a year.

When the dark brown blood crystals liquefy quickly, it is seen as a good omen of things to come. However, if the blood fails to liquefy (or if it takes hours/days to do so), it is a signal of “impending disaster.”

7. Solemn High Mass

The Solemn High Mass celebrates the Patron Saint of Naples, Januarius. It is held at Little Italy’s Shrine Church of the Most Precious Blood (113 Baxter Street), and will begin at 6:00 PM on September 19th.

8. 2nd Annual Meatball Eating Contest

For those who cannot stomach an overload of sweets, the festival of San Gennaro will also host a meatball eating contest. Newer to the festival than the cannoli eating competition, the 2nd annual meatball eating contest will begin at 1:00 pm on September 23rd.

The contest will be hosted by Tony Danza in memory of Johnny ‘CHA CHA’ — the unofficial Mayor of Little Italy. To sign-up, call 212-764-6330.

9. 100th Birthday Tribute to Dean Martin

Image via Wikimedia Commons

The festival will host a 100th birthday tribute to the Italian/American singer Dean Martin. The tribute will take place on September 23, and will include a fun array of Dean Martin-themed trivia, quizzes, birthday cake, as well as a vocal competition. To sign-up, call 212-764-6330.

10. Live Musical Performances

Vito Picone. Image courtesy Figli di San Gennaro

Along with Opera Night, the feast of San Gennaro will have multiple nights of live musical performances. Some artists include Johnny Mandolin (playing from 5-7 PM on September 14th), Gianni Russo (September 17th), Lala Brooks and The Crystals (September 21st), Vito and The Elegants (September 22nd), and Jenna Esposito (September 24th).

Location: Mulberry St between Canal St & E Houston St |Mulberry St & Broome St New York, NY

Next, read about the Crypts and Catacombs of Little Italy: What’s Buried in Manhattan’s Only Basilica.