18th Avenue Festival gears up for its 41st year
It’s that time of the year again!
As summer winds down, a yearly tradition in Bensonhurst — the 18th Avenue Festival, aka the Festa di Santa Rosalia — enables Brooklynites and tourists alike to send the season off with a bang. Each year, thousands of people make their way to the strip for tasty dinner and desserts, such as the famous sausage and pepper sandwiches and zeppole, as well as rides, games and live music.
Now in its 41st year, the festivities seem to be more popular than ever. “We absolutely get a lot of interest. Every year, we get the phone calls beginning in the middle of July asking when’s the feast,” said Community Board 11 District Manager Marnee Elias-Pavia. “The feast celebrates the Patron Saint Santa Rosalia from Palermo. 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.”