NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The 95th annual Feast of San Gennaro kicked off Thursday in Little Italy after COVID-19 canceled the event last year.
The festival on Mulberry Street features food, music and fun while celebrating Italian culture, CBS2’s Thalia Perez reported.
READ MORE: 1 Man Shot, Another Robbed While Dining Outside Philipe Restaurant On Upper East SideVendors said they’re excited to be back, but doing it all with caution because of the coronavirus.
Selling Italian pastries at the festival has been a family tradition for Jennifer Aquilino and her mom, Nancy Rimesso, that started more than 36 years ago.
Being together means so much more this year. They said Rimesso was sick with COVID-19 last year and spent 10 weeks on a ventilator in the ICU.
“We’re very excited. We lost out last year, but we’ve got to keep the tradition going. Life’s got to go on. You gotta bring New York back to life and this is the perfect way to do it,” Aquilino said.
With renewed concerns about the virus spreading among crowds, many vendors said they are taking extra precautions.
“If we wear a mask, we have some social distance. We wish for good,” said Michael Darouiche.
READ MORE: Gabby Petito Search: Parents Say Fiancé Brian Laundrie's 'Silence Is Reprehensible'; Police In Utah Confirm Responding To Incident Involving Couple“We put up [acrylic barriers], and most of the vendors did also. Trying to keep a little bit of distance,” said Bruno Donato.
Meanwhile, the city’s health department is investigating 16 cases of COVID-19 that have been linked to the electric music festival on Randall’s Island over Labor Day weekend.
Revelers at the event were required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test.
Vendors said this latest cluster is definitely on their minds. So is getting back to business.
“The San Gennaro feast is not just a business. It’s a tradition,” Donato said. “A lot of us vendors and neighborhood people here, we look forward to seeing each other every year.”
Vendors said they would like to see this festival season end on a high note despite their COVID concerns.
The Feast of San Gennaro runs through Sept. 26.
MORE NEWS: Police: Father Spit On After Asking Man To Stop Smoking Marijuana In Front Of 4-Year-Old Daughter On SubwayCBS2’s Thalia Perez contributed to this report.
The Link LonkSeptember 16, 2021 at 11:33PM
https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2021/09/16/san-gennaro-festival-returns/
Feast Of San Gennaro Returns In Little Italy - CBS New York
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