Danny Fratta is a familiar face every year during the Feast of San Gennaro.

Known as “Danny on the Corner,” his family has had a stand on the corner of Mulberry and Grand Street since the holiday began 98 years ago. They sell Torrone, which is Italian nougat candy.

For years the stall was run by Fratta’s uncle Vinny and recently a street corner was named after him.

Fratta also makes Zeppole, fried dough balls.

It is a family tradition to celebrate the holiday. It actually started as a one-day neighborhood party with Italian immigrants who paid homage to the patron saint of Naples, San Gennaro.

“It became a world-famous party that lasted eleven days and stretched over eleven streets,” said Fratta.

Another regular is Lucy Spata. At her stall she sells all kinds of pork and beef, including the famous Sausage and Peppers, a favourite on festive occasions.

The Spata family has also been present at the party since the beginning.

“My heritage, my tradition, my grandmother started this and I kept it going. I can’t let it go now,” she said.

Attendees will also likely see John “Baby John” DeLutro at the party, who is the manager of Caffe Palermo and a pizzeria, among other stands.

DeLutro has crowned himself the “Cannoli King” and talks about the importance of keeping the party going over the years as the neighborhood has changed.

“There are still a few of us holding on and we’re not going anywhere,” he said.

The party is big for Little Italy businesses, like the restaurant La Mela on Mulberry Street, whose owners still live in the neighborhood.

“They are actually our 11 most important days of the year, and they are crucial,” said John Diaz, general manager of La Mela.

The festival is a tradition for vendors and businesses, but also for people who attend every year.

Keith William Richards says he has been attending the event since he was a child.

“I plan on visiting every restaurant and stall, I can’t get enough of it,” Richards said.