11^th Annual Feast of San Gennaro will kick off with sponsor Galbani Italian Cheese, September 28–30, 2012, and a Prima Notte Gala on Thursday, September 27^th.

The feast celebrates Italian Americans in sports, including former baseball player Tommy Lasorda, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Lou Cordileone and many others.

Four days of Italian culture with music, food, wine, rides and games - hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla.

left, Danny da Vito, Jimmy Kimmel & Tommy Lasorda

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 09/17/2012

Photos & facts by Karen Ostlund

The San Gennaro Foundation will kick off October’s Italian Heritage Month, with a celebration of everything it means to be Italian, and their annual street festival, The Galbani® Cheese Italian Feast of San Gennaro, Hollywood.

Since 2002, the San Gennaro Foundation has donated over $750,000 to local charities that benefit Los Angeles shelters for children and families, food banks for the homeless, and school programs for underprivileged youth, among others. The feast is hosted by event co-founder Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla, and will once again take over Hawthorn Ave. (between Highland and Orange) in Hollywood.

left, singer Frankie Valle from the Four Seasons, Tommy Lasorda & performer

“The Feast of San Gennaro is something my family and I look forward to every year,” Jimmy Kimmel said. “I have no doubt that that our eleventh year will be a great one.”

Inspired by the 80+ year old New York City tradition, the Feast celebrates Italian culture, entertainment and cuisine, and will feature great food, music, genealogy research, a kid’s corner, bocce, bingo, carnival rides, games and more. Surprise celebrity guests will join the cooking team, as they demonstrate Italian recipes on the Galbani® Cheese La Cucina Italiana Cooking Stage with special guest, Galbani® Cheese’s very own Chef Marco.

actor Joe Mantegna

A Procession of St. Gennaro on Hollywood Blvd. will begin at noon on Saturday, September 29th and conclude with a Mass on the Main Stage presided by Monsignor Antonio Cacciapuoti.

“We have been bringing Italian culture to the heart of Hollywood for ten years running,” said Frankie Competelli, President of The San Gennaro Foundation, Los Angeles. “We are thrilled to once again, celebrate tradition, family, and great food with the community.”

The fun-filled weekend starts off Thursday, September 27th with the opening night fundraising gala, “Prima Notte 2012″, which will pay tribute to Italian Americans in Sports, such as Tommy Lasorda, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, Lou Cordileone and many others. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla, Mark DeCarlo serves as Master of Ceremonies, Louis Prima Jr. is set for a Big Band “swinging” performance and Italian American comedians finish out the evening with a special “Comedy under the Stars” show, courtesy of the LA Improv.

Rocco’s Italian pizza

In honor of the Feast’s 11th Anniversary, there will be special events going on throughout the weekend to raise funds for their various charities, including a “Gravy – Sauce” competition hosted by The Meatballs of Comedy and on Sunday September 30th, the Feast will partner with the Order Sons of Italy in America by broadcasting a Live Telethon from the Main Stage to raise funds for various Veteran charities.

Mike Marino

Galbani® Cheese (formerly Precious® Cheese), same taste, different name, is proud to be back for the 11th annual Feast! “We are very excited that Precious® Cheese has joined the Galbani® family of cheeses,” said Jessica Ruth, spokesperson for Precious® Galbani®.

“We’re so happy to continue our support with The San Gennaro Foundation as title sponsor of the Galbani® Italian Feast of San Gennaro and are looking forward to this wonderful event that brings friends and families together to celebrate Italian food and culture.”

Tickets for the opening gala can be found online at www.feastofla.org

General admission, September 28-30^th,  11 am to 11 pm is $5, and kids under 12 are free. All proceeds benefit the San Gennaro Foundation, established to provide aid to children and families in need in Los Angeles.