New Orleans to have world's largest bowl of pasta for St. Joseph's Day
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The Italian American St. Joseph Society throws a pasta party and a parade for St. Joseph's Day in New Orleans. Photo: Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images
New Orleans will have the world's largest bowl of pasta con la sarde today as part of the city's festivities for St. Joseph's Day.
The big picture: This weekend is a culture collision with celebrations for St. Patrick's Day, St. Joseph's Day and Super Sunday.
Driving the the news: David Greco, owner of Mike's Deli and Arthur Avenue Caterers in the Bronx, is this year's grand marshal for the Italian American St. Joseph Society's annual parade.
- He'll be making the pasta for the 52nd annual pasta party at noon today at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. Admission is free.
Catch up quick: St. Joseph's Day is on Tuesday and is named after Joseph, the husband of the virgin Mary and the earthly father to Jesus.
- Catholics in New Orleans observe the day by creating altars laden with food to honor the relief St. Joseph provided during a drought in Sicily, the archdiocese says.
- Sicilian immigrants brought the tradition to New Orleans when they settled here in the late 1800s, according to New Orleans and Co.
Driving news: There are several commemorations happening during the next few days for St. Joseph's Day, in addition to the pasta party.
Parade: The Italian American St. Joseph's Day parade rolls in the CBD and French Quarter at 6pm Saturday. (Route)
Altars: The St. Joseph's altars are open to the public and include food with symbolic importance, such as bread in the shape of ladders and saws to represent Joseph's carpenter tools.
- Dozens of churches have altars. Rouses often sets them up in stores too. Irene's has one in the Quarter as well.
- Bring a cash donation to the church altars for a lucky bean, candles and cookies. Read more about the traditions and superstitions.