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A three-day cultural heritage celebration is taking shape for downtown Patchogue this month.
The Hispanic Heritage Festival happens Friday night, Sept. 17, in Patchogue Theatre, and the all-day Saint Liberata Festival is the following day, Sept. 18, in the streets and restaurants.
Though the St. Patrick’s Day parade, which greaterpatchogue.com previously reported would happen on Sept. 19, is canceled due to scheduling conflicts with the marchers.
David Kennedy, the executive director of the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, said the “halfway mark” to the holiday will still be celebrated in another way, with a street race.
“We’re going with an abbreviated version of the race that we’re calling ‘Halfway Half-K,’ which is half of a 5K, more like a fun run,” Kennedy said. “We have about 300 to 400 runners.”
Here’s what to know for the weekend:
3rd annual Hispanic Heritage Festival
- Hosted by the chamber’s Latino Leadership Council, the event starts Friday at 7 p.m. at the Patchogue Theater (71 E. Main St.)
- The free event will be an evening of salsa music, dance performances, and immersive cultural experience.
- Some of the acts include Mila Tina, Sol Y Sombra, Angels2Earth, Danfosal of NY, TUMI, Mariano Cersa, La Elegancia de la Salsa and more.
- For more information and to purchase tickets, visit patchoguetheater.org
Patchogue’s 53rd annual St. Liberata Festival
- On Saturday, the traditional procession starts at 12 p.m. in front of the Suffolk County District Court (150 W. Main St.)
- The official ceremony begins at 12:45 p.m. at the Four Corners.
- Maple Avenue to West Avenue will be closed on Main Street. and Church Street to Oak Street on Ocean Avenue.
- Attendees can stroll through dowtown Patchogue viewing classic Italian cars, enjoy some great eats from participating restaurants and vendors, and take part in family-friendly activities such as children’s karaoke, a magician, dunk tank, bounce houses, a zeppole eating contest and live entertainment.
- There will be live music from Giglio Italian Marching Band, John Sirianni and Killin Time, Nino – Songs of Sinatra and Friends, Italian Singer Carmelo Raccuglia, and Tony Grant.
- The occe ball tournament is back and there are still spots available for teams of two or four. It’s $100 per team to enter, for more information contact David Kennedy at [email protected]
- This year honors Joseph Brandi as the 2021 Italian-American of the Year.
- For more information, visit the official Facebook event page.
May the Road Rise to Meet Ye Half 5k
- The St. Patrick’s Day fun run will be at noon on Sunday and the running route will be down Main Street.
- Packet pickup & Race Day registration is in Front of Finest Fitness located at 208 East Main Street, Patchogue beginning 11AM
- Grand Marshall Dennis Smith is kicking off the race.
- Dress up as the “Most Irish Looking” for a chance to win $100.
- Spots are still open, click this link to register and to find more information.
Additional events a part of the cultural heritage weekend is the Peace Pole dedication at Temple Beth-El on Sept. 19 at 4 p.m.
Kennedy said the village also approved a street dedication for late rapper and Patchogue native, Biz Markie, which will be unveiled at a ceremony moved to Sept. 25.
“One of the best parts about Patchogue is our cultural history and these events really kind of connect to it,” he said.
Continue to follow greaterpatchogue.com for updates. File photo from 2017 St. Liberata Festival.
