Italian Festival at The Mount 2021: Columbus Day celebrated with food, music (63 photos, video)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The steeple on Mount Loretto’s iconic church shone red and green at the first night of the four-night Italian Festival in Pleasant Plains. In the balmy breeze with a slight autumn nip in the air, revelers sang along to Sinatra and grooved to oldies.

Sausage and peppers sizzled. Neighbors bumped into each other and giggled with joy. Vendors like Kristin and Ernie Guzzo from Belli Baci Bakery in Tottenville greeted customers with smiles and handed over delicious-looking eats.

Off-duty food service folk also roamed the festa, set up with the look and feel of the San Gennaro Feast. Yet the sprawling Staten Island property afforded more space among stands and copious seats for savoring a meal.

Richie Holmes from Juicy Lucy came with his wife and daughter. He walked out of the festival with a box of rainbow cookies from one of the several bakers in attendance. Holmes’ beamed as he passed his Eltingville and Ocean Breeze restaurant’s new food truck, a novel way for Staten Islanders to purchase the award-winning barbecue fare.

Anthony Croccito from Santino’s Gourmet Deli in West Brighton also brought his family. He thought the evening was an impressive start to the festival.

“Food. I came for the food. I ate everything!” said a smiling Mark Walsh of Eltingville.

Eats and drinks through the weekend will be funnel cake, zeppole, cheesesteaks, pizza, rainbow cookies, mac ‘n’ cheese, pina coladas, lemonade, beer, wine, sangria, ice cream, candy apples and cannoli.

And indeed, the cannoli made its mark at The Mount this Friday evening a cannoli-eating contest sponsored by Mark’s Bake Shoppe of Richmond. The top winner was “Caitlin” from Westerleigh. Check out images and a video from the evening in the gallery below.

The family-friendly, rain or shine festa is planned through Monday, Oct. 11, each day with a different lineup. Admission is a $5 donation per guest to Catholic Charities. On-site parking is available for $5. Tickets can be purchased online or on the day of the event — www.cc-si.org.

THE LINEUP

Saturday will see Joan Caddell, Promise Land and The Rat Pack. The latter group headlines with Italian classics, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin. Festival times this day are from noon to 11 p.m.

Sunday live music will be performed by American Beauty, Chain Reaction, Black Ties, Just Us and Grounded for Life. Sunday’s hours for the day are noon through 8 p.m.

On Monday, Morrisania Project returns along with DJ music. The final fair day will run from noon to 6 p.m.

The event is sponsored by Catholic Charities of Staten Island and Borough President Jim Oddo. Additional supporters include Community Partners ShopRite and Staten Island University Hospital Northwell Health.

Pamela Silvestri is Advance Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com for food questions specific to Staten Island restaurants/food and to send images from this weekend’s festa. Follow her on Instagram at @StatenEats.