Patchogue's Italian Americans Remember St. Liberata's Past

For many of Patchogue's Italian-Americans, attending Saturday’s St. Liberata festival brought back fond memories of growing up in Patchogue.

The Italian festival is now in its third year after a 47-year long hiatus from 1962 through 2009.

Michael Locantore, the 2010 recipient of "Italian-American of the Year," has a strong connection to the feast.

"This St. Liberata festival was started by my grandfather with another gentleman way back in the day on Waverly Avenue," Locantore said. "It's been revived and it's continuing."

Locantore’s father, Lenny, was named the 2011 "Italian-American of the Year" on .

Resident Arthur Fuccillo remembers always having the St. Liberata festival as part of the Italian heritage and tradition of growing up in Patchogue.

"We were growing up with the feast,” Fuccillo said. “The Saint would be marched along [Waverly Avenue] by the young guys and the elderly would always follow. We would go door-to-door and people would pin money onto the Saint. That's a tradition that we're trying to revive now."

Patchogue resident Darlene Trava is glad the festival has made a comeback after its long hiatus.

"Ever since it started again three years ago, it brings back memories of when I was a little girl," Trava said.

Paul Felice and his wife Margaret Lotito Felice, grew up in Patchogue and have attended every festival.

"I remember having my first taste of wine during this and of course, we marched every year," Paul Felice said.