Little Italy’s Feast is the celebration heard all around Northeast Ohio. The iconic, weekend-long event is known best for its spectacle of Italian cuisine, turning Mayfield Road into a vendor market of the best pasta, pizza, cannolis and Italian treats in town.
RELATED: A Guide to Cleveland’s Little Italy
Games, casinos and music keep the entertainment alive, but its reason for the season makes the festivities complete: The Feast of the Assumption of Mary.
In Catholic tradition, The Feast of the Assumption, recognized yearly on Aug. 15, honors the sacred death of Jesus’ mother, Mary, when she was “assumed” into Heaven, both body and soul. An act beyond her own power, she was taken up by God and preserved holistically in a saint-like glory. This belief is a fundamental teaching in the Catholic church, guiding lessons on salvation and how believers will make it to heaven after their death.
Hosted by the Holy Rosary Church, and celebrated by the masses, here is the full schedule of events:
Thursday, Aug. 15, Feast Day
10 a.m.: Solemn Mass
11:15 a.m. (approximately): Solemn Procession through Little Italy streets
11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: Cavatelli dinner in church hall
Noon-10 p.m.: Churchyard stands open (food, inflatables and games)
1-5 p.m.: Entertainment in churchyard
7-10 p.m.: Entertainment in churchyard: Run Avril Run
7 p.m.: Entertainment on Mayfield Road: Primavera Band
8:30-10:30 p.m.: Entertainment on Mayfield Road: Italian Band of Cleveland
Friday, Aug. 16
6 p.m.-Midnight: Churchyard stands open (food, inflatables and games)
6 p.m.-Midnight: Casino open in church hall (lower level of the church)
7-11 p.m.: Entertainment in churchyard: Nick Costa
7 p.m.: Entertainment on Mayfield Road: Primavera Band
8:30-10:30 p.m.: Entertainment on Mayfield Road: Italian Band of Cleveland
Saturday, Aug. 17
Noon-11 p.m.: Churchyard stands open (food, inflatables and games)
3-6 p.m.: Entertainment: G4 Live Band
6-11 p.m.: Casino open in church hall (lower level of the church)
6-10 p.m.: Entertainment: GoodFellos
7 p.m.: Entertainment on Mayfield Road: Primavera Band
8:30-10:00 p.m.: Entertainment on Mayfield Road: Italian Band of Cleveland
Sunday, Aug. 18, Feast Day
Noon-10 p.m.: Churchyard stands open (food, inflatables and games)
1-5 p.m.: Entertainment: The Avanti Band
5-10 p.m.: Casino open in church hall (lower level of the church)
6-10 p.m.: Entertainment: Swamp Boogie Band
7 p.m.: Entertainment on Mayfield Road: Primavera Band and Choral Group
9 p.m.: Candlelight Procession on Mayfield Road, Closing Prayer Service and Raffle
Full Mass Schedule at Holy Rosary Church
Aug. 14, 5:30 p.m.: Vigil Mass
Aug. 15, 10 a.m.: Solemn Mass, followed by procession
Aug. 15, 8 a.m., Noon, 8 p.m.: Mass
Aug. 16, 12:15 p.m.: Mass
Aug. 17, 4 p.m.: Vigil Mass
Aug. 18, 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.: Mass
Aug. 18, 8 p.m.: Mass, followed by night procession and closing prayer
Aug. 15-18, 6 p.m.: Rosary prayer at the outdoor shrine in the church piazza on Coltman Road.
Amid the plethora of food and entertainment on display, be sure to keep your eye out for these extra special acts:
Guarino’s
Cleveland’s oldest restaurant has been serving Little Italy and the Feast of the Assumption since 1918. Indulge in house favorites like the classic lasagna, a Guarino family recipe for 60 years, or a generous “Mama’s portion” of chicken picatta, sauteed in white wine, roasted red peppers, lemon and capers, and served with pasta.
Wolf Pack Chorus
The new kid on the block serves unique American fare, while careful not to sever ties with its Italian neighbors, creating its own take on gnocchi pasta, made with monkfish, guanciale, tomato, asparagus, fennel and pesto cream sauce. In the home of the former Club Isabella, this spot is a welcomed change to the local dining scene.
RELATED: Wolf Pack Chorus' American Fare Strikes The Right Chord in Little Italy
Presti’s Bakery
Serving up a slice of Sicilian history since 1903, Cleveland’s oldest bakery has yet to go out of style. Find fresh bread, pizza, sandwiches, cannolis, gelato and cookies crafted from generations of family recipes in this quaint corner cafe.
The DeMarco Family Banner
During the Feast’s procession, you’ll likely see a clan dressed in flowy skirts and dresses, matched to the colors of Italy’s flag, bearing a banner of white, lavender and gold. Belonging to the women of the DeMarco family, they hoist the oldest banner in the parade, honoring six generations of family that have blessed the event. Read their full story here.
The Italian Band of Cleveland
A mainstay on the Feast’s entertainment schedule every year, this clan is no stranger to Mayfield Avenue. Celebrating over 80 years of music and tradition, the group of musicians, spanning from ages 15 and 85, is the last-standing ethnic band in Greater Cleveland, with many of their symphonic, folk and orchestral works being composed by former generations of local Italian-Americans.
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