Religious celebration, food and music mark Feast of the Assumption in Cleveland's Little Italy

CLEVELAND - Thousands of people are expected to attend the popular Feast of the Assumption festival in Little Italy’s Murray Hill neighborhood of Cleveland. It is the 111th year for the Feast.

The celebration begins Thursday and ends on Sunday. Holy Rosary Catholic Parish is holding a mass for the event.

The Feast also features a procession down Mayfield Road in Little Italy on Sunday. That street will be filled with musical performances, artwork, rides, and food from local restaurants and vendors.

The celebration typically draws crowds of more than 100,000 people over the four day period.

The Feast of the Assumption celebrates August 15, which is the Holy Day of Obligation in the Roman Catholic religion, as the day when the Blessed Virgin Mary assumed her place in Heaven with Jesus Christ.

Here's a look at the schedule for the Feast

AUG. 12

6-11 p.m. – Church yard stands open

7-11 p.m. - Entertainment

AUG. 13

6 p.m. – Midnight - Church yard stands open

7 p.m. – 11 p.m. - Entertainment

AUG. 14

Noon-Midnight - Church yard stands open

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Entertainment

7:00 pm - 11:00 pm - Entertainment

AUG. 15

10:00 a.m. – Solemn Mass

11:15 p.m. - Procession

Noon – 3:30 p.m. – Cavatelli dinner in church hall

Noon – 11 p.m. - Church yard stands open

1:00 pm – 5 p.m. - Entertainment

7:00 pm - 11 p.m. - Entertainment

9:30 p.m. – Candlelight procession and devotions

- Fireworks

- Raffle to follow fireworks

Holy Day, weekday and weekend Masses:

AUG. 12 – 12:15 p.m.

AUG. 13 – 12:15 p.m.

AUG. 14 – 5:00 p.m. (Vigil Mass)

AUG. 15 – 8 a.m., 10 a.m. (Solemn Mass), noon, 8:00 p.m.

There will be a recitation of the rosary at the outdoor shrine at 6 p.m. on Aug. 12, 13, 14 and 15