Belmar's Feast Of San Gennaro Coming Up This Weekend, Rain Or Shine

BELMAR, NJ - Belmar is prepping for its fifth annual Feast of San Gennaro coming up on Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine.

The event will begin on Saturday at 10 a.m. with a Mass celebrated in Italian at St. Rose Church, followed by the traditional procession of the statute of San Gennaro to its place of honor on Main Street.

Then comes the eating and drinking, with a variety of authentic Italian foods and a beer and wine tent. So loosen your belts and get ready for some zeppolis, italian sausage, crispy calamari, pasta and much more.

Some of the vendors include:

Buzzetta's Festival Foods

Crespellas

Dellano Food Service

House of Cupcakes

JB Couture Cupcakes

Jersey Jax

Pizza Luigi's Ice Cream

Ma's Italian Specialties

The Little Sicilian

The Tasty Trolley

Tony's Italian Sausage

Zinnas Mobile Bistro

You can even compete in a cannoli eating contest sponsored by Ma's Italian Specialties at 1 p.m. on Saturday and the Mayor's pasta eating contest sponsored by La Dolce Vita at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Both days will feature crafters, kids activities, dancing in the street, strolling bands and dance lessons. Saturday's hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays hours are 11 am. to 6 p.m. The festival will be held on Main Street, between 10th and 13th avenues.

Event organizers will be collecting for the Joe Leone's L'Aquila Earthquake Relief Fund.

Visitors can take the train or park at the train station, the marina or along side streets.

Last year's festival was marred by the cancellation of the second day after a pipe bomb explosion occurred in Seaside Park, just before a military organization's 5k race was slated to start.

Photo: Courtesy of visitbelmarnj.com