Oldest Italian Feast brings food, fun, flying angel to Boston Aug. 13-16

If you missed the Mt. Carmel Festival in Springfield's South End this year, there's still an opportunity to get your summertime fill of great Italian music, food and traditions just 90 miles to the east. Once again this year, Sorrento Cheese is sponsoring Boston's Italian Festival, know as the Fisherman's Festival, or North End Feast. About the Feast Since 1910, this North End Feast has celebrated the devotion of immigrant Sicilian fishermen to the Madonna del Soccorso di Sciacca (Our Lady of Help). This year the Feast takes place August 13-16, on North, Lewis, and Fleet Streets with its usual enticing selection of entertainment, food and traditional processions. The four day festival, now in its 99th year, takes place at North, Fleet and Lewis Streets, Boston?s North End. All entertainment is free and open to the public. Visitors will have to pay at vendor stands. Highlights of this year's festival include: On Aug. 13 At 7 p.m., come see the procession of the Madonna del Soccorso to the waterfront for the blessing of Fishing Waters. At 9 p.m., watch the Seventh Sorrento Cheese Tower Building Competition featuring local Italian-American personalities competing to win money for their chosen local charities. On Aug. 14 Music by the Tokens on the Main Stage on North Street On Aug. 15 At noon, enjoy special children?s activities, including face painting, games and prizes, Chef demonstrations using various Sorrento Cheese products Music on the Main Stage On Aug. 16 Beginning at Noon, watch the seven- hour Procession of the statue of the Madonna del Soccorso through the North End Streets. At 8:30 p.m., see the famous Flight of the Angel. As the statue of The Madonna returns to the North Street, a young angel flies from a fourth floor window and recites a prayer to her.