40 years later, the Feast of Santa Rosalia still brings the fun

Bensonhurst is hopping once again thanks to its 40th annual Feast of Santa Rosalia, also known as the 18th Avenue Feast. Thousands of Brooklynites have gathered since Thursday, August 20 to enjoy one of the borough’s favorite festivals, named after the patron saint of Palermo, Sicily.

“It brought back a lot of memories from childhood,” said attendee Jackie Griffin, who has attended the traditional feast for years. “It’s exactly the same. Everything was great from the delicious zeppoles to the sausage and peppers. My favorite part is always the distant beat of house music.”

The 11-day festival stretches from 68th Street to 75th Street on 18th Avenue. Brooklynites often look forward to several of the activities, such as food, games, rides and dancing. Kids can even win their very own goldfish.

Bensonhurst resident Ruveena Rossitto, who lives a mere three blocks away from the festival, is a self-proclaimed regular. “I go every year and I love all of it,” she said. “My favorite part of the feast is hard to choose because I’m completely obsessed with it and wait for it all year long, but hands down the sausage and pepper sandwiches and fried Oreos take the cake, and of course buying trinkets and the rides for the kids.”

The festival will conclude on Sunday, August 30.

BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photos by SB News

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