Things to Do

The Feast In Little Italy: 4 Things To Know

Fireworks, fun, food and faith come together for an unforgettable Feast of the Assumption.

by James Bigley II | Aug. 14, 2018 | 12:00 PM

Kendra Huspaska

Kendra Huspaska

As festivals go, Little Italy’s Feast of the Assumption is truly a religious experience. That’s because for 120 years, the festival has brought together faith, family and food for one heck of a celebration. Here are four things you need to know about the Aug. 15-18 feast.

Faith 
To celebrate the Virgin Mary being taken into heaven after her death, Bishop Nelson Perez presides over a 10 a.m. Mass at Holy Rosary Church Aug. 15. It is followed immediately by a procession with a statue of the Blessed Mother through the streets of Little Italy. A raffle for a $5,000 grand prize is held outside a religious goods tent Saturday evening at 11:30 p.m. 

Fireworks  
The closing procession steps off at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 18 followed by a 15-minute fireworks display over Tony Brush Park at 10 p.m. 

Fun 
Purchase a $20 all-access bracelet for unlimited carnival rides Wednesday and Saturday. But if one trip around the Ferris wheel is enough to get a view of the neighborhood, you can purchase individual tickets throughout the festival.

Food 
While there are more than a dozen authentic Italian restaurants in Little Italy, Guarino’s Restaurant, which opened in 1918, is the oldest by far. Treat yourself to the brasciole ($19), a rolled steak stuffed with prosciutto, onions, provolone, egg and garlic, while sitting on the private garden patio Aug. 17 and 18.

Get the Latest in Your Inbox

Whether you're looking for daily news bites, the latest bites or bite-sized adventures, the Cleveland Magazine Daily newsletter experiences have something for everyone.