Thousands of people came together Sunday to celebrate the rich Italian heritage of The Hill neighborhood in St Louis at one of the area’s most long-running festivals. The 157th Italian Heritage Parade and Festa was held throughout the day at Berra Park. The event was hosted by the Hill 2000 Neighborhood Association and featured delicious cuisine, vendors, music and a parade.

The Hill and its Italian heritage stretch back to the 1880s when immigrants settled there to work in nearby clay mines, according to the association website. Over the years, grocers, bakers, and other businesses sprung up to support the community.