Close

Seven Philadelphia shops competed in the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival’s inaugural cheesesteak contest Saturday. When the smoke cleared and judges voted, the winner was Lorenzo’s, whose shop is about two blocks from the contest. Vinny Caramanna, working a grill at the cheesesteak contest, looked over at the judges tasting his sandwich. H...

1088

Longtime Philadelphia music personality John DeBella was presented with a bronze commemorative plaque on Broad Street’s Avenue of the Arts during 2023 Walk of Fame ceremonies on April 20. “This is the greatest honor of my career,” he said. “I am overjoyed for being added to this incredible list of talented people. Anyone have a good metal polishing...

714

It was the 1930s in South Philly, and Pat Olivieri ran a hot dog cart near the Italian Market. One afternoon, Olivieri couldn’t stomach the thought of another hot dog for lunch, so he sent his brother to the butcher. They chopped up and seasoned the fresh beef, topped it with onions and laid it across a bun. In that moment, a cab driver, also cravi...

1148

The History of Italian Immigration Museum HIIM is in South Philadelphia, but its perspective is global. It isn’t about South Philadelphia,” Michael Bonasera, its chairman and curator, said in an interview along with his wife, Wanda, who helped create the museum in 2014. “It isn’t about Philadelphia. It isn’t about America. It’s about immigration.”...

773

Frankie Longo Jr. is climbing in his father's footsteps. The 18-year-old senior at Neumann Goretti High School — and son of grease pole climbing legend Frank Sr. — will take his first crack at scaling the pig lard-slathered pole at the Italian Market Festival this weekend. Pole climbing is practically an Olympic sport for Philadelphians who celebra...

1159

“Bigger, better, bolder than ever before!”  That’s the promise of the 2023 S. 9th Street Italian Market Festival which takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p;m. on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21, 2023. The celebration of culture, gastronomy, art, and music runs along South 9th Street from Wharton to Fitzwater Streets. The nation’s oldest outdoor mark...

1087

The South Ninth Street Italian Market Festival will continue its beloved tradition later this month, bringing food, fun, vendors and more to South Philadelphia. On May 20-21, the festival will wind its way through the entirety of the South Philadelphia shopping, dining and lifestyle district, including a holy procession of the Saints celebrating Sa...

933

Famiglia is everything! Like so many other Italian American descendants’ it was time to gather, reminisce, and celebrate our Italian roots. The opportunity to gather, reconnect, share and pass along family history is what a reunion is all about and to do so across multiple generations/family lines makes for a memorable event. On April 29, 2023 a “B...

1933

If you’re a loyal listener to the Italian American Podcast, you’ll know that technology isn’t exactly an area we focus on week in and week out.  Artificial intelligence and chat-bots and whatnots might not exactly be our expertise, but for this week’s guest, the rapidly unfolding revolution in artificial intelligence has become a valuable tool in h...

1180

Jerry Blavat, the Philadelphia radio DJ and performer best known to his fans as the "Geator with the Heater," will be posthumously honored with a musical tribute during the Italian Market Festival on Ninth Street next month. The annual block party at the nation's oldest outdoor market will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 20 and S...

713