FESTA ITALIA 9/8/13 1755 GE
THE SANTA ROSALIA FISHERMAN’S FESTIVAL TOOK PLACE IN MONTEREY THIS WEEKEND. MEMBERS OF MONTEREY’S ITALIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY BEGAN THE CEREMONY OF PARADING THE STATUE OF SANTA ROSALIA, THE PATRON SAINT OF FISHERMAN, THROUGH THE STREETS OF MONTEREY IN 1933. THE CUSTOM ORIGINATED ON THE ISLAND OF SICILY, WHERE MANY OF THE FAMILIES IN MONTEREY HAVE THEIR ROOTS. THE STATUE WAS CEREMONIOUSLY PARADED ON A FLOAT DOWN ALVARDO STREET , THEN HAND-CARRIED TO THE WHARF FOR A BLESSING BY THE BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF MONTEREY. A 14 PERSON BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND 100 VOLUNTEERS PUT ON THE ANNUAL EVENT. SPECTATORS, NUMBERING IN THE THOUSANDS, ENJOYED FOOD BOOTHS SERVING UP CALAMARI AND OTHER DELICACIES, ALONG WITH MUSIC AND TARANTELLA DANCERS
