10th Annual Little Italy Pasta Eating Competition Set for Today on Mulberry Street

Summer in little Italy, which began on Memorial Day Weekend and will continue through Labor Day on the Mulberry Street Pedestrian Mall, is prepping for one of the summer season's major events in lower Manhattan, the 10th Annual Little Italy Pasta Eating Competition, which will take place today, June 29, at 2 PM in front of 133 Mulberry Street (between Hester and Grand Streets), it was announced by Ralph Tramontana, President of the Little Italy Merchants Association (LIMA), which operates the Pedestrian Mall.

Approximately 10 men and women, who are employed by the area's local restaurants, cafes and boutiques, will take their seats along the competition eating table shortly before 2 PM on Saturday in preparation for the contest in which there will be one survivor - the person who can eat the most pasta in a period of ten minutes. The record they will all be looking to break is five pounds! The winner will receive $100 and free dinner for two at Il Piccolo Bufalo, 141 Mulberry Street, which will be providing the competition pasta this year - spaghetti in a simple marinara sauce -- which will be served to contestants in one-pound bowls.

The Mulberry Street Pedestrian Mall is operational every Friday, Saturday and Sunday on Mulberry Street between Canal and Broome Streets and on Hester and Grand Streets between Mott and Baxter Streets. During these weekends, the Mall streets are closed to vehicular traffic on Fridays between 6 PM and Midnight, Saturdays from noon to midnight and Sundays from noon to 10 PM.

The Mulberry Street Pedestrian Mall and the 10th Annual Little Italy Pasta Eating Competition are sponsored by Peroni Beer and Pepsi Cola/Seven-Up/Schweppes.