The NYC festival that starts today?

Have only been to it 1 time in late 90’s but always heard how LCN had involvement in it (I don’t believe they do now or if so, it is minimal)
They said it has been going for 97 years and wondered if any of the early bosses had anything to do with its inception?

Are you speaking of the San Gennaro Feast, along Mulberry Street in NYC's Little Italy?

If so, I can tell you that almost since day one of its inception, All of NYC's Italian "festas" regardless of which borough they were in, but especially in Manhattan, have been "mobbed up."

San Gennaro Feast (Little Italy)
St. Anthony Feast (Greenwich Village)
Mount Carmel Feast (East Harlem)

...plus, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, etc. They have all had their fair share of "friends" involved.

So.. during the festivities , If I wanted 2 sell.... say...sausage & peppers on a long roll..I would in this day & age have 2 answer 2 a higher being????

Well, technically, you have to make an application to the San Gennaro Society, a little storefront that was always located on Mulberry Street. They organize and head the feast (similar church societies operate the same way for other feasts throughout the city.)

But, understand, that aside from being affiliated with the church and having the designated "authority" from them to operate the feast, there are people who are "behind" this entity who are generally connected guys (or at least thats how its always been for over a century already.)

These are the actual men who controls the companies that will provide the lighting, construct the wooden "stands" and stalls, supply the foods, bread, vegetables, provisions, utensils, games of chance, etc., etc, to the people who "rent" the curb stands/locations along Mulberry and adjoining streets of the feast.

The connected guys are also the ones who actually dole out which strategic locations will be awarded to which vendors. And you pay "rent" to them and buy all your supplies from them.

It was/is a potentially lucrative 10 days for everyone, especially mob guys.

Well, thanx 4 that info NYM..even though u & I both know that I am not going 2 that xtent here in Philly..just always wondered how it worked & u simplified it 4 me in laymens terms..much obliged .

My pleasure Hoodlum