The favorite feast with al fresco dining, food trucks, and zeppoles is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7, during the St. Liberata Feast after a parade. The celebration will continue on Main Street in Patchogue Village from noon onwards, with a bocce ball tournament and music.

This year, the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce Foundation will be celebrating the Knights of Columbus as the honorees. Last year, former Suffolk County Legis. Rob Calarco served as the official Italian-American of the Year.

“The Patchogue Italian Feast of St. Liberata is set to be the same wonderful celebration of Patchogue’s Italian heritage as it has always been! Great food, music, and entertainment!” said Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce executive director David Kennedy, noting the bocce contest is also back, as is the car show. “We are proud this year to do something new and recognize an entire organization as Italian Americans of the Year, the Patchogue Knights of Columbus.”

The K of C, he said, has been an instrumental part of the feast since it became a Main Street event in 2008, leading the procession of St. Liberata each year, as well as being one of the community’s top charitable organizations for decades.

“They are incredibly deserving of this honor,” he added.

The car show will now be named after Lou Giordano, in honor of his community service and as the past Italian American of the Year.

“Lou was a tremendous member of the Feast committee, whom we miss dearly,” Kennedy said.

Giordano died in December 2023, at the age of 77. He and his wife, Antionette Calpalbo Giordano, owned Giordano’s Collision in Medford since 1995. He was a business owner, past president of the Patchogue Lions Club, and a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy.

The Saint Liberata Feast was started by Patchogue resident Carmine Bianco, who died in 1949. It was held originally on Waverly Avenue.

The rain date has been set for Saturday, Sept. 14.

AT THE LIBRARY

The library team is ready to represent at the annual bocce tournament. This will be their sixth year participating, and the gang has been practicing with their bocce sets, available to borrow from the library. 

Last year, 11 teams competed in the bocce tournament, held on the front lawn of Carnegie Library. The participants included Calarco.

Curious about how to play? Check out their video and learn to play bocce with Calarco, available on the library’s website.  

At the festival, come down to the Carnegie lawn to play bocce, then stop by the main library for a simple craft and cotton candy, while supplies last.