Dance Of The Giglio Society Of East Harlem Italian Festival New York City Editorial Image

Taken 8/2/2014 East Harlem, New YorkThe first East Harlem Giglio took place on East 106th Street, and grew to become one of the largest street fairs in America. In 1957, the festival moved a few blocks north to 108th Street to accommodate the growth, and remained there until 1971, when it moved to the Bronx, returning home to East Harlem in 2000,Now located on Pleasant Avenue between 114th Street and 116th Street, the annual festival is held on the second weekend of August. Each year, participants create a new Giglio from scratch, using the specifications of the Maestro di Festa or Master of Ceremonies, with special attention to the Papier-mâché face, traditionally adorned with saints and colorful flowers.The current Giglio is approximately 66 feet tall not counting the saint on top. So with the saint it’s about 72 feet. It can weigh anywhere between 3 and 4 tons depending on the height and wood used.What is the weight of Giglio with band on top?The band can add another 2000 to 2500 pounds to the weight of the Giglio. This depends on how many people are on the Giglio base, the size and weight of the musicians and singer and any guest that may be on the Giglio as its carried. The Giglio with band an instruments can at any given time weigh over 10,000 pounds!How many people does it take to lift and dance the Giglio?It usually takes about 80-100 people to dance it properly. But naturally the more lifters (paranza) under the “poles”