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Italian Market Festival Draws Large Crowds To South Philadelphia

By John McDevitt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A two day festival kicked off Saturday at South Philly's Italian Market.

There was music, crafts and of course food along six blocks.

"I got a pulled pork sandwich and they got meatball sandwiches," said Steve Cohen of Pennsauken as he and his family chowed down.

PHOTOS: Italian Market Festival

"So the festival has become a tradition where people come back and people who are here celebrate being here. And it also gives the merchants an opportunity to show off what they do," said Michelle Gambino with the South 9th Street business association and festival producer.

People also dress as saints and greet the crowd as another tradition. That procession takes place Sunday at 11 a.m.

"And people pin dollars o the saints and say a prayer for good luck and then they get a holy card," Gambino explained.

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