The weekend-long 92nd annual Saint Rocco Feast along Pearl and Thacher Streets raised money for scholarships and for the needy. In the Roman Catholic tradition, Saint Rocco was born in France. He donated money to the poor. Saint Rocco Society members walked the streets in a procession to collect donations on Sunday.
The grease pole competition was dedicated to Timothy Kelly, a Pearl Street resident who has stage 2 leukemia. For information, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/786we-kick-cancers-ass?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer.
Grand Marshal John Spadafora carried the American flag along the route.Two-time champion Joseph Hurley grabbed salami from Dom’s Sausage at the top of the grease pole during Sunday’s Saint Rocco Feast.Shown from left to right: Mayor Gary Christenson shook hands with the late Private First Class Kevin Crowe’s family members – Brian, Janet and Presley Crowe – during Sunday’s dedication for the late Private First Class along the procession route on Russell Street.Andrew Rigano organized the grease pole competition for his best friend, Pearl Street resident Timothy Kelly, who is a leukemia survivor.The procession paused along Russell Street to remember PFC Kevin Crowe, who died during the Vietnam Conflict.State Rep. Steven Ultrino and Mayor Gary ChristensonMayor Gary Christenson and event organizer Joyce Mover (both far left) were all smiles along the procession route.The band Sea Breeze played Italian music alongside lead singer Steve Savio (in center).Peter Juliano and Billy Spadafora (at left) cooked peppers and Italian sausage from Dom’s Sausage.Grand Marshal Robert Ultrino carried the Saint Rocco flag along the procession route.Mayor Gary Christenson paused for a moment of reflection to Vietnam veteran and Russell Street resident Kevin Crowe, who was killed in action.Saint Rocco was portrayed by a local resident, JoJo Cafarella.Shown from left to right: grease pole organizers Jenelle DeVits, Rebecca Krigman, Nicholas Grizzi, Andrew Rigano and Timothy Kelly, for whom they were doing the competition as a fundraiser.Friends and neighbors celebrated raising $4,000. Back row, pictured from left to right: Michael Bruhm (in blue), Andrew Rigano, Joseph Cascarano, Jason Santolucito, Jay Hurley, Joe Hurley, Jo Jo Hurley, Gina Hurley, Marc Colleameno and Marina Rigano. Second row (in the middle): Nicholas Gizzi (with a red bandana) and Renee Straccia. Third row, pictured from left to right: Alexandria Esposito, Abrie Rawston, Jenelle DeVits, Rebecca Krigman, Maddie Smith (in white), Alaina Giulano (in red), Annie Carroll (in white), Anthony Giuliano and Alaina Giuliano. Lying down: Timothy Kelly.Ward 2 Councillor Paul Condon (at left) put a $20 onto Saint Rocco.The Italian American Band of Lawrence played the American and Italian National Anthems.Saint Rocco’s Feast Association of Malden member Peter Levine (in center) carried St. Rocco.Grand Marshal Nico Spadafora carried the Italian flag.Participants in the grease pole competition learned on each other for support.Grease pole contest winner Joey Hurley grabbed his father Joseph’s hair for support.John Wood alongside Rodney and Johnny Perro poured sugar and cinnamon onto fried dough.Former host Nicholas Angelo (at left), 96, led the parade route.Fan Leo Valente, who is a World War II veteran, listened to the music.The crowd along Pearl Street watched the grease pole event.Saint Rocco’s Feast Association of Malden members collected donations.Councillor-at-Large Carey McDonald and his wife, Sarah, saluted during the Italian National Anthem.Grace Damico sold arancini, which are Italian rice balls.
English
Spanish
Portuguese
Arabic
Haitian Creole
Chinese (Traditional)
