The Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park in Kent will take on a look of Italy this evening when the county celebrates its first Feast of San Gennaro.

The four-day event will kick off with a Statue Procession of San Gennaro at 6:30 p.m. followed by food and music.

Festival Grand Marshal Giulio Cefaloni explained the statue originated in Naples, Italy, and made its way to New York in 1926, where it was carried through the streets of Lower Manhattan, known as Little Italy. “With the assistance of Father Quarato, Father Peter Pomposello and Bill Russo, the San Gennaro Committee was able to secure the statue for the feast on loan from the Most Precious Blood Church.”

Cefaloni said San Gennaro was the Bishop of Benevento, Italy, who died a martyr for his faith in 305 AD. “He is the patron saint and protector of Naples, Italy. Neopolitans pray to him for protection in emergencies such as fires, earthquakes, plagues, droughts and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.”

The festival’s roots date back to the turn of the 20th century when Italian immigrants settled on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, with each region settling on a different street. The Neopolitans settled on Mulberry Street and in keeping with their traditions, began celebrating the feast with a block party. Over the years the gathering turned into an 11-day event, encompassing the 11 blocks of the Little Italy neighborhood.