ABOUT

More than just a festival

OUR HISTORY

The Annual St. Nicholas of Tolentine Authentic Italian Festival is the first Sunday of October each year. It is held on the 1700 Block of South 9th Street.

Presented annually since 1987, St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish has been dedicated to keeping alive the spirit and faith of the early Italian immigrants. We believe in Faith, Family and Tradition.

Although this is an annual celebration of faith, the Authentic Italian Festival features a religious procession, free musical entertainment all day, a wide variety of ethnic food delicacies, rides and games for the kids, Italian and religious novelties, gifts baskets and raffles. The central focus of the celebration takes place at the 11:00 A.M. Mass (held at 10:30 A.M. for that day only), followed immediately by the religious procession throughout the neighborhood with a long line of the Statues of Saints and their faithful following.

The Festival holds a special place in the hearts of people everywhere. It is a time to see old friends and meet new ones. It is a time of faith, a time for remembrance, and a time for celebration. The added benefits of delicious food and great musical entertainment, reflecting Italian-American culture and heritage, are all there.

Although there is a party atmosphere that enlivens this Festival, this is really a religious celebration that has become a proud tradition handed down from generation to generation. This day celebration is filled with many happy people of all ethnic and racial backgrounds eating fabulous Italian cuisine, listening to great live entertainment and just having a wonderful time. However, there is a religious purpose behind it which is never forgotten, and that becomes evident as the Festival begins with Mass.

The Festival is for our community and bringing it together for celebration. Come and join us!

Italian festivals were held at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church from its founding in 1912 through the 1960’s. They were the inspiration for the current-day event which revived this tradition in 1987, on the occasion of the parish’s 75th Anniversary.

The names behind the festival

OUR COMMITTEE

FR. NICK MARTORANO, OSA

THERESA ANASTASIO

LOUISE DISPIGNO

MICHAEL GIANGIORDANO

CARMELLA JOYCE

LOREDANA MROZ

BARBARA RICCI

JANET SMITH

MARIE ALFONSI

ANTHONY ARCURI

BRIAN DONNELLY

FRANK QUINN

LISA RUSSO

ALLEN SMITH

ANGELA ALLEGRA

BERNADETTE ESPOSITO

BARBARA GIRARDO

ANGELA LUCIFERO

LIZ REMENTER

PETER SPINA

SUSAN TAVELLA

We shall never forget the ones that have gone before us

FESTIVAL DEDICATIONS

The St. Nicholas of Tolentine Italian Festival has dedicated our festival in the past to honor those committee members who spent time and talent to make the festival the success we have had over the years.

Past dedications:
October 2014 – John Girardo

October 2018 – Dolores LaRosa, Joseph and Gina Cavallero

October 2023 – Bobby Rydell, Charlie Gracie, and Jerry Blavat