The annual Patchogue Italian Feast of St. Liberata headed to Main Street in Patchogue Village for its 57th year. After being canceled due to a rainy weekend, the event was finally held on Sept. 14, from noon to 6 p.m.

This year, the Patchogue Chamber of Commerce honored Patchogue’s Knights of Columbus 725 as the 2024 Italian Americans of the year. Last year, Rob Calarco was honored as the Italian American of the Year. The festival started with the parade, starting in front of the Suffolk County District Court, and making its way to the Four Corners.

“We’d like to thank the St. Liberata Foundation, the Greater Patchogue Foundation, our Patchogue officials,” The Knights of Columbus 725 said in a statement. “The Knights of Columbus has been here serving the Patchogue community, our parishes, our priests, and of course, our Savior for over 120 years, and we have no plans on going anywhere. We plan to continue to do that for the foreseeable future.”

The event began with the procession of the St. Liberata, who is the patron saint of Pizzone, Italy; a bocce tournament, classic and Italian car show, “Vino in the Village” wine walk, and much more. Live music and entertainment filled Main Street as people made their way past vendors. Businesses along Main Street hung Italian flags outside of their doors and windows.

Additionally, individuals were welcomed to pin money onto the St. Liberata. All donations went to Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Francis de Sales Catholic Churches. Halfway through the event, St. Liberata was covered in donations.

This year’s car show has been renamed after Lou Giordano, who died last year. Starting this year, the show will be known as the “Lou Giordano Memorial Car Show.” Cars featured included Italian brands such as Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia and American brand Chevrolet.

Right across from the Lou Giordano Memorial Car Show, the bocce tournament took place on the front lawn of the Carnegie Library. Three courts covered the lawn as teams competed to win bottles of wine. It was the library team’s sixth year participating in the tournament.

The Patchogue-Medford High School cheer team showed their pride with a performance at the Four Corners. The team cheered as they waved their red and black pom-poms in the air.

Several Patchogue Village officials were at the event, including mayor of Patchogue, Paul V. Pontieri Jr., who honored the Knights of Columbus 725.

“In recognition as the Italian Americans of the Year, thank you for the many years of service and dedication to the community,” Pontieri said. “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”

Before live music performed by Killin Time took over the stage, Suffolk County executive Ed Romaine recognized the Knights of Columbus.

“Here in Patchogue, the Knights of Columbus has spread their goodness over our community,” Romaine said. “Thank you for your service, thank you for your dedication, thank you for your faith, thank you—you show us the way.”

Walter Firman of Killin Time said that being invited to perform each year for the past four years has meant a lot to the band.

“Taking part in the festival has been a wonderful experience for us,” Firman said. “Also honoring the great and proud Italian community that has created such a wonderful family community.”