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Patchogue’s streets will turn red, white and green Saturday as the Italian Feast of Saint Liberata returns after last month’s rain pushed the annual celebration to a new date.
The festival is set for Saturday, Oct. 3, bringing a full day of Italian food, music, dancing, family activities and traditions to downtown Patchogue.
The celebration begins at noon with the traditional procession of Saint Liberata, starting at West Main Street and West Avenue.
The procession will include the statue of Saint Liberata, members of Knights of Columbus Council No. 725, the Giglio Italian Marching Band, local clergy and officials, members of the Locantore family, past honorees, the Columbiettes, the Sons and Daughters of Italy Sgt. John Basilone Lodge No. 2442, Incanto Tarantella Dancers and other community groups.
An opening ceremony will follow at 12:45 p.m. on the Showmobile at Ocean Avenue and Main Street, where Linda Locantore will be recognized as Patchogue’s 2026 Italian-American of the Year.
The ceremony will also mark 20 years of the Cultural Heritage Committee recognizing Italian Americans who have made a difference in the Patchogue community.
The Giglio Italian Marching Band will perform the American and Italian national anthems, followed by a blessing and presentations from local officials.
Festivalgoers will also be able to visit the statue of Saint Liberata and pin money to the saint, with proceeds supporting Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and St. Francis de Sales Church.
Entertainment will run throughout the afternoon, including the Lou Giordano Italian & Classic Car Show along West Main Street, performances by the Giglio Italian Marching Band and Incanto Tarantella Dancers and live music at several downtown venues.
Killin’ Time featuring John Sirianni will perform from 2 to 5 p.m. at Patchogue Theatre, while Carmelo the Italian-American Singer will perform at Amsterdam and Nino will perform Sinatra and other classics at Village Idiot Pub.
The Patchogue-Medford cheerleaders are scheduled to perform at 1:15 p.m. near the Four Corners.
There will also be plenty for kids, including face painting, a magician, balloon artists, a petting zoo, games, Italian crafts, temporary tattoos, coloring activities, cotton candy and free gelato tastings while supplies last.
Mario and Luigi will roam the festival from 1 to 4 p.m. for photo opportunities.
Capital One Plaza will host family entertainment and toddler games, while Main Street will feature a Kids Zone, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office Touch-a-Truck program, Speedy Pitch and an arcade trailer.
Food competitions will take place throughout the afternoon, beginning with Donatina’s pizza-eating contest at 1:30 p.m. The winner will receive a $100 cash prize and a $100 Donatina gift card.
Kilwins will host a children’s ice cream-eating contest at 2:30 p.m., followed by Round Hound’s zeppole-eating contest at 4 p.m.
The festival will also feature Italian music and group dancing throughout the day, along with bocce tournaments near the Sixth District Court and Carnegie Library on West Main Street.
For adults, the Vino in the Village Wine Walk will run from 1 to 4:30 p.m., offering wine samples from participating downtown restaurants. Packages cost $20 and participants must be 21 or older. Tickets will be available at the chamber booth near the Four Corners.
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