The 41-year-old Bensonhurst tradition is back again.
The 18th Avenue Festival, aka the Festa di Santa Rosalia, fittingly kicked off on Thursday, August 18 and featured all the fun, food, festive rides and live music that could fit on the avenue.
Turning out thousands of people each year, this summer’s 11-day festival — stretching from 68th Street to 75th Street — was no different.
“The feast celebrates the Patron Saint Santa Rosalia from Palermo,” explained District Manager of Community Board 11 Marnee Elias-Pavia. “And those that aren’t religious still have the opportunity to have a great time. It’s a terrific way to celebrate the end of summer.”
Check out all the photos from this year’s kick-off below:
On the Avenue: Kiwanis Club fetes ‘Finest’ with award named for late chief 
On the Avenue: Celebs, activists honored at annual Maimonides gala