Photo: WBZ NewsRadio \ Karyn Regal
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The smell of sausage in the air, meatball contests, cooking demonstrations, music, and a flying angel... all culminated in the North End this weekend for the 112 annual Fisherman's Feast which started on Thursday.
The century-old tradition will take place until Sunday, August 21. Event goers can enjoy traditional Italian food and entertainment, and wrap up the event Sunday evening with the annual "Flight of the Angel," represented by a young girl descending from a third-story window to meet the Madonna del Soccorso di Sciacca statue.
Members of the Fisherman's Club carry the Madonna statue to North Street where two side angels on balconies on either side of the street recite an Italian devotion. Then, the flying angel will descend to the Madonna and the event will conclude with a shower of confetti on the street celebration below. This year’s Flying Angel is Gianna Puccio and the side angels are April Palazzolo Cedano and Jillian Fialkosky.
On Thursday, the festival began with the grand procession of la Madonna which was carried through the streets of the North End while marching bands and floats paraded on the street.
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During the day, vendors from across Boston will have food, dessert, art, jewelry, and souvenirs for the public to enjoy. While festival goers eat various Italian foods, they can drink at the beer garden and listen to classic Italian hits from artists like Angelo Venuto, Maria Venuto, and Vinnie Medugno.
At the Fisherman's Feast's Cooking Stage, located at the corner of Fulton and Lewis Streets, festival goers can watch cooking demonstrations held by MasterChef season 10 contestant Kenny Palazzolo and other well-known chefs in the area, according to the Fisherman's Feast of Boston. The chefs will showcase new techniques, ingredients, and share recipes with patrons to include in their own cooking. At the stage, there will also be wine tastings in addition to pairing suggestions. Kids can enjoy their own cooking contests.
Boston's Best Meatball Contest is held at the event every year, allowing local Boston restaurants to compete for the title of Boston's Best Meatball. The public are given an opportunity to taste the meatballs and vote on which one they believe deserves the winning title. After the public has voted, restaurants with the most votes will be brought to a panel of judges who will decide the winner.
The Fisherman's Feast began Boston's North End in 1910 as a century-old Italian tradition based on fisherman from Sciacca's devotion to the Madonna del Soccorso (Our Lady of Help). The tradition originated in the 16th century in Sciacca, Sicily.
WBZ's Karyn Regal (Karynregal) has more:
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