A beloved tradition with roots back to the early 1900s returns to South Philadelphia this weekend. The Annual St. Nicholas of Tolentine Authentic Italian Festival will bring out thousands of people on October 1 to the 1700 Block of South 9th Street. 

One of the largest authentic Italian festivals of the year is back after the pandemic and will start with the annual religious procession throughout the neighborhood with a long line of the Statues of Saints and their faithful following. This year, the St. Nicholas of Tolentine Italian Festival will host a special ceremony to honor the late Bobby Rydell, Charlie Gracie, and Jerry Blavat, who were all lost over a 9 month period last year.