For 92 years, the St. Ann’s Festival has been a distinguished event for the parish family of one small neighborhood church. From its faith-filled religious procession through the streets of Hoboken to its variegated selection of homemade Italian specialties, handmade crafts, rides, games and live music entertainment, this year’s historic feast was another overwhelming success.
The festival, which began Saturday, July 20 and ran through Friday at Seventh and Jefferson streets, drew thousands of visitors to the streets. The Feast centers around St. Ann’s Church, the diminutive yet stoutly devote parish that began 102 years ago and houses the now famous statue of St. Ann, the patron saint of women.
The festival started when a few hundred immigrants from Monte San Giacomo gathered in Hoboken to honor the patron saint of their small Italian town.
Visitors to the festival’s final day were scheduled to be part of a special homage to St. Ann with a five-and-half hour precession of a 600 pound statue in her likeness through the streets of Hoboken, carried by the ladies’ guild of St. Ann’s Church. The procession is a tradition that dates back to the first Feast, held in 1910. It’s not uncommon for pregnant women to accompany the statue in their bare feet as an expression of their devotion to the Saint.
“The Feast is a sign of devotion and parish unity,” said Father Francis Sariego Wednesday. “The tradition of this Feast opens up so many different emotions for so many people in this community.”
Sariego added that first and foremost, the festival is an opportunity to express sincere reverence and faith but, he said, it is also an opportunity to celebrate their Italian heritage and share their culture with the rest of Hoboken and the surrounding area.
“It brings pride to our community,” said Joan Messina, Wednesday evening. “There are so many Americans [in Hoboken] that are of Italian descent. This and other festivals like it give us the opportunity to revel in and celebrate our heritage.”
Even those who are not of Italian heritage appreciated the opportunity to come together. Jose Ortiz, 32, who is of Puerto Rican descent, said Wednesday that he looks forward to attending the event every year. “It’s an opportunity for the entire neighborhood to come together,” said Ortiz. “[Hoboken] has so many different cultures. It’s good when we are all able to mingle together like this.”
Also food and fun
After stopping into the church to pay their homage to the saint, many visitors immediately got on line to sample the fried dough creation known as the zeppole, whose secret recipe is carefully guarded by the members of the St. Ann’s Guild.
“These things are the best,” said 14-year-old Remy Page. “You get powdered sugar all over you, but it’s worth it.”
In addition to the zeppoles, guests to the festival were able to browse and buy a wide selection of traditional Italian wares and foods from a bounty of street vendors and settle down and listen to melodic tunes under the stars each night of the festival.