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Similar Holy Rosary Church, Little Italy–University Circle, Garfield Memorial, Memphis Kiddie Park, Lake View Cemetery | ||
The annual Feast of the Assumption Festival (also locally referred to informally as The Feast) is a four-day Catholic street festival centered on Holy Rosary Church on Mayfield Road near its intersection with Murray Hill Road in Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood. Held annually since 1898, the Feast occurs around August 15 in concordance with the observance of the Assumption of Mary. It includes a procession of a statue of the Virgin through the streets leading to the church, as well as a nightly mass.
In addition to its religious nature, the Feast is also a general celebration of Cleveland's Italian cultural heritage in its largest Italian neighborhood, which has demographically remained relatively unchanged since its establishment in the 19th century. Highlights include live musical performances, carnival and casino games, carnival rides and fireworks. The Feast is also famous for its food, with numerous street booths operated by local restaurants and shops from around the neighborhood selling traditional Italian food and other items to the large crowds that come to the neighborhood from all over the Greater Cleveland area.
