CLEVELAND, Ohio –Thousands will fill the streets of Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood for the 126th celebration of the Feast of the Assumption. Known to locals simply as “The Feast,” the four-day event takes place Thursday Aug. 14, to Sunday, Aug. 17, along Mayfield and Murray Hill roads in the historic neighborhood.
For Catholics, August 15 marks the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the day the Holy Mother was taken into heaven both body and soul. To acknowledge the significance of the day, Holy Rosary Church conducts rosary prayer services and mass several times each day during The Feast.
A solemn Mass –- a more ceremonial service with additional rituals– is celebrated at 10 a.m., August 15, in Holy Rosary Church. When mass ends, the statue of the Virgin Mary is paraded through the neighborhood with festival goers following.
The food and cultural components of the celebration likely have more public awareness with Clevelanders than the Catholic holyday itself. In addition to religious practices, event-goers will find a breadth of Italian food and beverages, live bands and other entertainment throughout the neighborhood.
Holy Rosary, which started the event, will have cavatelli dinners, cannoli, inflatables, games and more. Earnings from the Feast are applied to the education of parish children in Catholic schools and to the ongoing maintenance of the Church buildings and grounds.
Throughout the neighborhood, many restaurants are offering specials for the occasion.
For a third year, Tutto Carne, 2181 Murray Hill Road, will serve Italian beef sandwiches and Italian cheesesteaks. This year they’re introducing an outside grill where short ribs will be prepared before chopping for the sandwiches. The Italian sandwiches are served with a house-made giardiniera while the cheesesteaks get a homemade parmesan cheese sauce.
Cent’Anni, 12403 Mayfield, will continue business inside the bar while the patio will have a walkup bar and offer a variety of pizza slices all weekend.
Mount Granita Italian Ice, 2024 Murray Hill Road, is bringing back its popular Feast Pop, a layered granita (Italian ice) including mint mojito, lemon, and strawberry. The layer colors represent the Italian flag.
Parking in Little Italy can be a challenge. Check out the parking options.
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Dining and Cooking