For 115 years, the Italian enclave of Raritan, N.J., would process the statue of Saint Rocco through the streets to kick off an Italian summer Festa filled with food, fraternity, and festivity. That is, until the COVID-19 pandemic sent the historic celebration grinding to a halt in 2020.

As each year passed without a feast, the return of the beloved Festa seemed increasingly in doubt and another treasured Italian American tradition would be lost unless something was done. Thankfully, the Festa is not only back but it’s better than ever thanks to two years of hard work and planning from past, and future, Italian American leadership.