This weekend, the residents of Little Italy host a lavish feast in honor of St. Gabriel. The narrow streets in this 12-block Baltimore community of tiny row houses and trattorias are filled with food vendors, live music, games and dancing. The party takes place on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
Sponsored by St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church and the Sons of Little Italy lodge, the church, located at the corner of Stiles and Exeter streets, is central to the festivities and all are invited.
St. Gabriel?s will serve up the tastes of fine Italian cuisine from a number of food vendors.
Connie Bannister is the secretary at St. Leo?s. For years, she has worked the festival?s calzone booth. The men of the parish, she notes, make the ground beef and four-cheese filling, while she stuffs the dough rolls and fries them.
“You get so wrapped up in the excitement,” she said. “Every hour something different comes up; it?s very pleasant.”
All of the festival?s pasta and sauces are made by the residents of Little Italy and showcased in an old-fashioned spaghetti and ravioli dinner in the church?s school hall.
Jerry Elliot is assistant to the head of the festival.
Craftspeople will be selling their wares while photographers and painters exhibit their works for sale, he says.
“A lot of people who used to live in the neighborhood come to the [9:30 a.m.] Mass on Sunday morning and walk in the procession afterwards,” he said. “People follow behind the statue of St. Gabriel. They pray and sing, and the band plays.”
Then, it?s back to partying.
Frank Monaldi, who will be performing Italian music with his band of brothers, summed up his feelings for the festival when he said. “It?s all about Italian heritage: Like Thanksgiving, it brings the family together.”
At a glance
» WHAT: St. Gabriel Festival
» WHERE: Stiles, Exeter and surrounding streets of Little Italy
» WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 8 p.m.
» ADMISSION: $1 donation
» ON THE WEB: www.little-italymd.com
