Boston’s Historic North End will host its annual Saint Anthony’s Feast this weekend to honor the patrons St. Anthony and St. Lucy with colorful parades, religious services and an abundance of Italian and American food.
The festival, which attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees, kicks off this Thursday. But college-aged students will now need to be with an older adult after unruly behavior from juveniles disrupted the event last year.
“It’s not just a ‘Drop your kid off and walk away,’” said Michael Bosco, a North End committee member of the Saint Anthony’s Feast.
The new rule applies to anyone under age 21. Some festival-goers were arrested by Boston Police for underage drinking last year.
Each entrance will have a security station staffed by both private security and Boston Police personnel, according to Bosco, who says it’s unfortunate but necessary.
“This is a family event. This is what we’re trying to preserve,” Bosco said. “We want this to be a welcoming and a safe environment for everybody that comes to the North End to celebrate with us.”
Joseph Papa, who’s 30 years old, grew up in the North End. He’s been working at the famous Mike’s Pastry on Hanover Street for years.
He remembers running around the festival as a teen and says the new rule for younger people is unfortunate.
“I think that their hands are tied, and I don’t think they had much of a choice,” he said. “Last year, it got out of hand.”
The Saint Anthony’s Feast tradition was started by Italian immigrants in 1919 and is now a major religious festival in New England. Singers, contests, religious services and authentic Italian food are all available at the four-day festival, including with a 10-hour procession of the Statue of St. Anthony accompanied by marching bands and floats.
Bosco said, this year, the festival will end at 9 p.m. to limit any late-night disruptions.
A Boston Police spokesperson said a police detail will be on hand to monitor the event.
Jason Aluia, who grew up in the North End and still lives there, serves as a trustee for the festival. He also recalled having fun at the festival as a 16-year-old kid without his parents — but that now, the rules need to change.
“Regrettably, we have to do it. In order to continue the celebration, we have to address issues,” he said. “People who come here should behave well and come to celebrate, not disrupt.”
Aluia said residents of the neighborhood enjoy welcoming people, but it’s a family event that festival-goers should feel safe to attend.
Papa, who works at Mike’s Pastry, said the festival is a wonderful event and no one should have to endure chaos that happens late at night with younger kids.
“People come into the North End to kind of see what it’s all about,” Papa said. “It’s just — it’s fun. It’s our favorite time of year for sure.”
