~ Malden Musings ~ Saint Rocco Feast Lovefest 2025

By Peter Levine

Once again, the Saint Rocco Feast reminded us why Malden isn’t just a place on the map. It’s a living, breathing community where roots run deep and new stories are written every year. As former Malden High School Principal (and shoulda, woulda Super of Schools), world-class traveling companion, and current voice of calm amid the city’s noise, Dana Brown, so perfectly put it after a recent Festa:

  “Malden can be that beacon, a shining light on that sweet spot where a near 100-year tradition collides with our new diversity and we flourish; Mission accomplished — with more work to be done!”

Well said, sir.

And so, on that second weekend in August, Pearl Street once again became our common ground. Just as it has ever since 1929. Neighbors, friends and families poured in, just as generations before them did. Smiles were plentiful, as were second helpings of “Richie’s Meatball Subs,” “Butch’s Sausage and Peppers” and “Lucille’s Arancini.” Friendships were forged over paper plates, red cups and shared memories while an old tradition carried on — stronger than ever — in our little corner of the universe.

It was, in a word, glorious. If you missed it, don’t worry — Saint Rocco will be back next year, and Pearl Street will be waiting.

Picked up pieces while walking the 95th Annual San Rock Festa Sunday Procession; my dogs are still barking but it was stone-cold blast…

• Where to start!? So many familiar faces! So many fantabulous memories! So much fun! Despite no Gabbagool to be found, Mother Nature looked kindly on the 95th Festa with warm weather, clear skies and comfortable nights all three days. Many of us walking the Saint on Sunday agreed that we could have used a cumulus cloud or two, but we weren’t greedy and collectively sighed, fuhgeddaboudit and kept on walking!
• The band WildFire with their cultlike following made Saturday night the most spectacular night we’ve had since the 90th extravaganza. Thank you, Kenny, and all your loyal followers.
• Breaking news! Mark your calendars for August 7 and 8, 2026, because WildFire will return next year for the 96th Festa on both Friday and Saturday night! That ain’t fake news!
• Contrary to what appeared on Malden Network News’s Facebook page a couple months back — the time our beloved San Rock tradition was reduced to being described as a “drunken street party where people climb greased poles” — and, of course, an anonymous quote was used; remember that? Well, contrary to the anonymous quote, I did not see a drunken street party any of the three nights (don’t get me wrong, I was a little tight one of the nights, but I was on my best behavior and had a designated driver) nor did I see anybody climbing a “greased pole.” Kind people at MNN, I eagerly wait for an apology and retraction. Insert smiley face.
• A very special stop on the Sunday Procession route was Peter Antonetti’s house to wish his mom, Josephine, a happy 100th birthday (July 21). Stay well, Josephine! See you next year!
• While we were stopped at Pete’s, I ran into my former all-star hair stylist at (the pride and joy of Maplewood Square, by the way) Salon Viara — Gina Aretusi-Holland — and reassured her that I wasn’t cheating on her as I showed her my not cut in five years ponytail LOL! Gina, I’ll be in soon for a much-needed trim.
• Butch Gennetti’s grandson Robby took home “best moss at the 2026 San Rock Festa”! He was handed his invisible award juggling a piece of fried dough as his uncle Sal looked on proudly.
• The Highland Smoke Shop (Highland and Oakland at Sgt. Joseph Lumino Memorial Square) once again stepped up bigly with refreshments waiting for us as we walked the Saint on a very hot and humid Sunday afternoon. Those guys are THE best, which you already know if you live in the neighborhood. Water, fruit juice and other liquid refreshments were made available, but one wise guy walking the Saint (was that you, Johnny Spadafora?) yelled, “Hey, can you guys put a few scratch tickets on the table?!” Laughter all around for — at the time — a group of hot, weary and exhausted San Rock Pilgrims looking to just finish the route and join the “drunken street party going on.” Insert wise guy smiley face.
• Breakout star of the weekend? Craig and Debbie’s adorable little girl, Lilliana. Sassy, precocious, with the full spirit of the San Rock Festa in her blood, look for Lilliana to rock the weekend for a very long time to come. You go, Lilliana!
• Former Mayor Ed Lucey, you put us all to shame at age (mumble, mumble). You look great and the way you were chowing on that Pisa Pizza slice, I wouldn’t want to get in your way at the kitchen table! Great seeing you, Ed — you look marvelous if I haven’t told you so lately.
• Good news, bad news! Amanda and Mark Linehan were showing their San Rock spirit, looking like they were having a blast! Bad news: I sadly only got to wave at them as we walked the Procession on Sunday. Another time, my friends. Hope you folks enjoyed yourselves.
• Just when you think there isn’t much more Recreation Director Joe Levine can do for the city he loves so much, then Sunday’s Procession happens where Joe stepped up bigly and was Ward 2 Councillor Paul Condon’s personal chauffeur as we escorted the Saint through the streets of Edgeworth. Due to an old football injury, Hoss was unable to walk the 4.7-mile route and reluctantly agreed to jump in the John Deere and swap stories with his old pal, Chills. Good job, Joe!
• Malden Square MVP Douglas Tran from the world-famous Malden Square destination — All Seasons Table — made sure the Friday night after hours grille dudes had enough “refreshments” to satisfy their thirst and hunger. The mai tais and dumplings were a welcome sight after five hours of grilling sausage meat! Thank you, Douglas, for the care package! Malden loves you if we haven’t told you so lately!
• I saw Ward 5 Councillor Ari Taylor waiting in line for some homemade Italian treats, and I gotta say right here, right now, Ari is quickly becoming a fan favorite throughout the Edgeworth neighborhood and beyond!
• I saw Ward 1 Councillor Peg Crowe all weekend long and Peg is in the running once again for the San Rock 2025 MVP award! Whispers have it, at the very least — San Rock 2025 10th Player Award. Stay tuned.
• Anthony Spadafora (pictured above) made a funny comment as San Rock Number One Fan Mayor Gary Christenson attempted to pin the first gelt on the Saint before the Procession. As Mayor Gary went to pin his $20 bill on the wreath, Anthony yelled out, “Former Mayor [Richie] Howard used to pin a $100 bill on the Saint!” Laughter all around with the biggest guffaw from our beloved mayor.
• In the “let’s make sure the San Rock tradition never dies” department, it was inspiring to see Billy and Michelle Settemio’s adorable grandchildren Kennedy & Nolan place the donation wreath around the Saint’s neck before the start of the Sunday Procession (just for the record, it ain’t a parade). The Settemios and Spadaforas (as well as a host of other families in Edgeworth, I must add) have done so much for the Festa over the years, it is encouraging as well as heartwarming to know the tradition will continue long after we’ve “stepped aside.”
• Barbara Scibelli — Malden High School’s recently retired Assistant to the Principal, part-time oracle of wisdom (available strictly on request) and full-time ray of sunshine — was right there at the corner of Oakland and West with her husband and fellow retiree, Mike, proud Oakland Street fixtures. Together, they and their stellar trio — Jeri, Toni and Anthony — greeted the Procession like a rescue squad from the heavens, armed with the ultimate fuel for weary revelers: icy-cold liquid salvation, delivered exactly when it was needed most.
• Barbara and Mike, that water was nectar from the gods — bless you! And forgive me if memory (and perhaps one too many celebratory toasts) has failed me, but… was that mysterious, cheerfully wobbly bag of Jello shots also courtesy of the Scibelli clan? If so, consider this a very large, very grateful smiley face beaming your way!
• We saw you, Michelle Luong! Edgeworth keeps detailed notes on this type of stuff! On behalf of myself and quite a few other Maldonians, we wish you the very best of luck in your pursuit of a Councillor-at-Large seat. Actually, please win (you and Craig, that is)! Insert smiley face.
• The late Butch Gennetti was with us every single second of the weekend. That ain’t no bull sugar! Thank goodness we had his family around us for comforts sake and to make us all at least realize that his memory ain’t going anywhere, anytime soon. I know for a fact his son Sal had a fabulous weekend. That’s all I’ll say about that, and you can insert one last smiley face here.
• Extra special San Rock Shout-Out to the man not only with the sharpest elbows in Edgeworth but to the dude that kept the Friday night IACC unwashed masses happy with the quick service he is known for as barkeep! He manned the air, he rammed the ramparts, he took over the airports, he did everything he had to do at the IACC under the San Rocco rockets’ red glare to make sure his customers got their High Noons in a timely manner. And he had nothing but victory after victory, as his tip jar will attest to. Ain’t NOBODY better behind the stick besides possibly Greg Lucey! Yes, that Greg Lucey!
• So many familiar faces! So many fantabulous memories! So much unforced fun! So little time to reflect on the complete experience. If I have left you out, please know that it was not intentional (except for you, Pete Robby — insert snark face emoji). Drop me a line, refresh my memory and it will find its way into print. It has to! This is Maldonia history and we gotta keep it alive! Or forever be held in contempt of Maldonia court history.

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — to Joyce and Sheldon Mover…Thank you — for everything you do, and everything you are for the San Rock tradition. It’s clear the San Rock Festa isn’t just an event to you; it’s a calling, a rhythm that pulses through your veins, a legacy etched into your family’s story, carried in your hearts and lived through your hands. You don’t just organize — you embody. You don’t just preserve yourself, you breathe life into what came before, so it may live again in us. We are deeply fortunate — as a community, as neighbors, as keepers of this tradition — to have you as our stewards. You remind us that heritage isn’t something we inherit. It’s something we tend to, together. So, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Next year on Pearl Street.

Postscript 1: Time for “Malden Musings bad joke of the week”.. .A man falls out of a tree in Malden, Massachusetts… Locals say it’s the first time in history someone’s tried to cut in line for the Saint Rocco’s Feast from above. “That’s a joke son” said in my best Foghorn Leghorn voice as I combine two recent Maldonia-centric stories into one lame joke. No need to thank me.

Postscript 2: Godfather of the San Rock Festa of Maldonia — the one, the only — Nick Angelo… God bless your pea-pickin’ heart! This man hasn’t just attended every single San Rock Festa — he’s practically the patron saint of sausage & peppers and the keeper of the fried dough flame. Sure, maybe the first 10 Feasts are a little fuzzy in the memory banks, but for the last 80+? Nick has been front and center, helping to keep the Feast alive — through the boom years, the lean years and every blessed year in between.

Nick, I tried to give you a proper salute last week, but your celebrity status had you mobbed by well-wishers, admirers and at least three people trying to hand you homemade biscotti. Just in case it hasn’t been said enough lately — we love you, Nick. Full stop.

And yes, I caught sight of your still-dashing brother Johnny — the Angelo charm (no doubt) clearly runs in the family — but once again, no chance for the salute he deserves. If the good Lord’s willin’ and the crick don’t rise, next year, on Pearl Street, gentlemen… my salute will be legendary.

—Peter is a long-time Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at Pe*****@*ol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms.