Fireworks exploded, church bells rang and patriotic music played as marchers carried a statue of San Marziale through borough streets Sunday afternoon. Approximately 200 people, including visitors from Oklahoma and Philadelphia, participated in the annual San Marziale procession under sunny, blue skies.

A vast majority of the participants were Italian, since San Marziale is the patron saint of Isca sull’ Ionio, a town in Calabria, southern Italy, which was the birthplace of many Italian immigrants who came to America. Many residents of Kulpmont are of Italian descent. San Marziale’s feast day is July 10. Shenandoah Mayor Andrew Szczyglak, who was among the attendees, was impressed by the large turnout and dedication of borough residents in carrying on the beautiful tradition.