The Feast of Santa Rosalia is back in Bensonhurst for 11 days of food and festivities

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The beloved Feast of Santa Rosalia, named after the Patron Saint of Palermo, is back in Bensonhurst for its 50th anniversary from Aug. 15-25.

The celebration — also known as the 18th Avenue Festival — began in Italy over four centuries ago, and emphasizes the joy of Italian-American culture through the stunning array of food, carnival rides, and games, as well as live music and entertainment each night.

Festivities will take place every night of the festival along 18th Avenue between 68th and 75th Streets.

Alongside many other incredible acts, festival headliner and international Italian artist Angelo Venuto will be performing Aug. 23.

A highlight of the festival — alongside the classic sweets and treats available for purchase — is the 2nd Annual Cannoli Eating Contest sponsored by Robert DeFalco Realty which will take place on Aug. 23 in front of the iconic Villabate Pastry Shop on 18th Avenue.

The festival will end with a grand parade down 18th Avenue and a mass at St. Dominic Church on Aug. 25.

This year, Fox 5 News anchor Briella Tomassetti has been named Grand Marshal of the parade, as a proud daughter of Italian parents hailing from Collepietro, a town in southern Italy.

At a festival kickoff celebration on Aug. 15, Tomassetti said she got “choked up” when she was asked to serve as grand marshal, since southern Brooklyn has been such an important part of her Italian-American family’s life. She used to attend the feast with her family as a little girl, she said.

“Looking at all of you makes me think of my family and makes me think of my heritage,” Tomassetti said. “This is always going to be a special feast … whether it’s the 50th year, the 100th year, the first year.