The sun shines bright for St. Liberata

Patchogue hosted its 59th annual Italian feast of Saint Liberata on Saturday, filling the streets with music, dance, lots of pizza, wine, and devotion.

Postponed from the previous week’s powerful wind and rainstorm, the sun shined brightly on St. Liberata, also known as Liberata of Pavia, a fifth-century nun from the region of Lombardy, Italy.

The celebration, which dates back to the earliest Italian immigrants who came to Patchogue in the early 20th century, began with a traditional procession of the saint to the sounds of the Giglio Italian marching band, followed by grand marshal Linda Locantore and members of her family, and then followed by The Columbiettes, the Sons and Daughters of Italy Sgt. John Basilone Lodge No. 2442, Incanto Tarantella Dancers, and other community groups.

“I am proud of my Italian American Heritage,” said Patchogue resident Locantore, as she accepted her reward for Italian of the Year. Locantore is the third person in her family to receive the honor following her brother, Michael, who was honored in 2010 and her late father, Leonard, honoree in 2011. “Linda Locantore’s dedication to education and community exemplifies the spirit of Patchogue,” said David Kennedy, committee member and former executive director of the chamber of commerce.

Author Antoinette Truglio Martín, a vendor, said, “It brings you to your past. It connects me to my grandparents.”

Attendees enjoyed the day of events while also passing by the statue of Saint Liberata to pin money on the statue, in support of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and St. Francis de Sales Church. 

Entertainment included the band Killin’ Time, a Patchogue local singer, and a local DJ, while kids walked around with different cartoon characters on their faces and enjoyed the petting zoo. The Patchogue Raiders cheerleading team also helped with the event and performed as families around Long Island sold homemade olive oil, biscotti, and zeppole in vendor tents.

The festival also held a pizza-eating contest, lining up eight eager men with one whole pie each and a water bottle, and a zeppole-eating contest. Winner of both was Joe Norris of Port Jefferson Station, who walked away with a full stomach and $100 in prize money.

Giselle Castro is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.