Belmar's Fifth Annual San Gennaro Festival Coming Up On Saturday and Sunday

Like Italian food? Then head for Belmar this weekend.

The Fifth Annual Belmar San Gennaro Festival kicks off on Saturday and Sunday with food, games for kids, a beer and wine garden and even cannoli and pasta eating contests.

The festival opens at 11 a.m. on Saturday, after a Mass of San Gennaro at 10 at St. Rose R.C. Church at 7th Avenue and a procession, according to the festival Facebookpage.

The festival will feature authentic Italian foods, live entertainment, dancing, a beer and wine tent and crafters.

The cannoli-eating contest will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Mayor's pasta-eating contest is at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Participating vendors include:

Buzzetta's Festival Foods
Crespellas
Dellano Food Service
House of Cupcakes
JB Couture Cupcakes
Jersey Jax Pizza
Luigi's Ice Cream
Ma's Italian Specialties
The Little Sicilian
The Tasty Trolley
Tony's Italian Sausage
Zinnas Mobile Bistro

Event organizers will be accepting donations for the Joe Leone’s L’Aquila Earthquake Relief Fund during the festival.

Visitors can take the train, which is a one block walk, or park at the marina and along side streets.