News Summary
The annual St. Joseph festival is making a comeback in Providence’s Little Italy, Federal Hill, now taking place in June instead of March. This change aligns the celebration with Father’s Day, honoring the patron saint of fathers. With an expected 50,000 attendees, the festival features food, live music, and a statue procession led by Bishop Bruce Lewandowski. The event aims to celebrate Italian cultural traditions and foster community spirit, featuring competitions like the zeppole eating contest and ample outdoor dining experiences.
Providence – An annual three-day festival dedicated to the celebration of St. Joseph is currently underway in Providence’s Little Italy, known as Federal Hill. For the first time in 12 years, the festival has been moved from its traditional date of March 19 to June. This change aims to better align the event with Italian traditions, celebrating St. Joseph close to Father’s Day since he is recognized as the patron saint of fathers. Approximately 50,000 guests are anticipated to attend this summer celebration.
The festival began on Friday and includes a lineup of food, live music, shopping, and games. Festivities started at 5 p.m. and continued until midnight. This longer timeframe allows business owners and vendors additional time to prepare a variety of food and drinks for both daytime and nighttime activities. For instance, Café Italia’s staff has worked diligently to ensure a diverse menu to serve festival-goers. Notably, Café Italia secured second place in the annual meatball competition, while Wally’s Wieners claimed the grand prize with their award-winning meatballs made from a secret family recipe that features both beef and veal.
One of the highlights of the festival is the procession of a statue of St. Joseph, which will be led by the new Bishop Bruce Lewandowski. This special event, along with a zeppole eating competition, draws numerous attendees each year, making it a pivotal part of the festival experience. On Saturday, a special mass and procession will be conducted at 11 a.m., followed by a full day of activities.
The festival is scheduled to conclude on Monday at midnight. During the evenings of the festival, Atwells Avenue will remain open to traffic from Bradford Street to Dean Street, while a segment of Atwells Avenue from Dean Street to Sutton Street will be closed from 3:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. This arrangement ensures guests can easily access the various attractions while allowing restaurants along Atwells Avenue to set up parklets for outdoor dining experiences.
The decision to move the festival to June is not merely about scheduling. It also reflects a broader effort to preserve and celebrate Italian cultural traditions in a meaningful and engaging way. The festival serves as a reminder of the community’s strong Italian heritage and its commitment to honoring foundational figures like St. Joseph both in spirit and celebration.
As the weekend progresses, attendees can enjoy a wide array of attractions, marked by a vibrant community atmosphere that encapsulates the essence of Federal Hill. The festival continues to be an essential event, drawing families and friends together to celebrate life’s pleasures while honoring St. Joseph in a festive and family-friendly environment.
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Additional Resources
- WPRI: Federal Hill Heats Up for the Saint Joseph’s Festival
- Wikipedia: Saint Joseph
- ABC6: Saint Joseph Celebration Coming to Atwells Avenue Through Monday
- Google Search: Saint Joseph Festival
- ABC6: Feast of St. Joseph Returns to Federal Hill
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Italian-American Culture
- Providence Journal: Celebrating St. Joseph’s Day in RI
- Google News: Saint Joseph Festival Celebration
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
