August 8, 2018

A Look at the 89th Annual Feast of Saint Rocco in Fort Lee, New Jersey (Part 1)

The Procession
Viva San Rocco!
Photos by New York Scugnizzo
Scenes from Sunday’s 89th Annual Feast of St. Rocco in Fort Lee, New Jersey. (See Part 2, The Procession Continued and Part 3, The St. Rocco Chapel)
The statue of San Rocco is presented to the expectant crowd
Crucifer and Color Guard lead the way
The Tony Neglia Band
The procession makes its way through the streets of Fort Lee
The first of three sprints with the statue
(L) Stephen LaRocca, President of the San Rocco Society of Potenza, New York, with Salvatore Zuccaro, President of the San Ciro Society of Garfield, New Jersey. (R) Locals generously offered participants wine and cold water 
In celebration, young ladies release balloons into the air
A long streamer of money is wrapped around the statue
A TREMENDOUS HONOR: Members of the San Rocco Society of NYC
were given an enviable opportunity to help carry the statue
Sprinting down Main St. towards Fort Lee Municipal Court
Honoring the fallen soldiers of Fort Lee outside the courthouse
Members of the Fort Lee NJ Police Department perform a three-volley gun salute
(Above & below) The ladies get their chance to carry our beloved patron
...and they make it look easy
Stopping by Engine Co. #1, we showed the fire department our appreciation
After a several hours, the procession came to a rousing finish
with a dramatic dash through the fair grounds
To the delight of the crowd, our glorious patron is raised to the sky
Back at the chapel, cheers and confetti canons greet the marchers
Phil Arfuso, President of the San Rocco Society of Fort Lee, New Jersey, bestows honorary membership to invaluable members of the community
Afterward, revelers enjoyed a wide variety of food, music, games and rides