Little Italy is hosting a huge party in honor of Saint Anthony and you are all invited.  This festival provides a wonderful weekend of Italian wine, food, beer, cookies, music, food, ice tea, and art. 

The festival started out as a thank-you celebration to Saint Anthony of Padua for saving the residents of Little Italy from the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904. The parishoners gathered at the Jones Falls and prayed that he would save them. It is said that although the rest of the city was being devastated by the fire, the flames stopped at the edge of Little Italy. The grateful residents have been giving thanks in June ever since then.

Children can enjoy the food, game wheels, items from different vendors and the live music and dance.  Adults can indulge similarly and taste different Italian wines, beers, and ice tea.  The parishoners form a procession that marches through the streets of Little Italy on Sunday to start the festivities.  Pin a dollar onto the statue of Saint Anthony as a sign of respect.

Festivities will be held on June 11-12, 2011 from 12 noon to 8 p.m. at the St. Leo the Great Parish on Exeter and Stiles streets.  For more information, visit the Little Italy site, or the St. Leo Parish site.