Italian Festival in Patchogue


On Saturday October 1, 2011, I attended the Festival of Saint Liberata in Patchogue, NY. I have never heard of the festival of Saint Liberata. Someone from the K of C handed me a brochure entitled "Patchogue Italian Festival of St. Liberata;" it is from this brochure that I learned of the history of the Festival of St. Liberata, in our home town, Patchogue, NY. I had no idea that this festival is an integral part of Patchogue's history, which dates back to 1920! It would be wonderful if a PDF form of this Brochure were made available on the internet for everyone to enjoy!


I have been to many Italian festivals before. In the usual tradition, food at a festival is prepared and sold outside; but it takes more than Italian food and carnival rides, to make an Italian festival.


I am from Italian descent; my Grandparents came to the United States from Palermo Italy. Every Sunday my family went to my Grandparents house on New Utrecht Avenue, in Brooklyn, for Sunday dinner. My Grandfather was the cook, and when he cooked, he listened to the radio. Every Sunday the radio programming was the same; Gumbata Joe, and Jimmy Roselli. Please partake in the Italian experience of a child; Left click the link below, close your eyes, and listen to the entire song by Jimmy Roselli. (Please do not read past the link below. Also remember to left click the back arrow to get back to this page)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gODdES8VlA&feature=related


And now you have it; the Italian experience of a child! To this day I still have no clue what Jimmy Roselli was singing about; I speak almost no Italian but I smile every time I hear Jimmy Roselli sing!


The Italian music at the festival was provided by an Italian band, that normally entertains at the Main Street Italian Bistro in Patchogue. The Italian music was great; I felt like I was at Grandma and Grandpa's house. My wife and I purchased some Italian food from the Main Street Italian Bistro, we sat down, and enjoyed the show. I saw a young lady doing a traditional Italian dance; I even saw the feeble attempt that two 18 year old guys made at Italian dancing! I went across the street and purchased a few Rice Balls from Del Fiore; to my surprise, they were just as good as the ones that my Grandfather made!


The audience was engaged; I was engaged! The festival of St. Liberata, in Patchogue, NY, did indeed have the feel of a genuine Italian festival. It does take more than just Italian food to make a festival!


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