by Michael White
It was a celebration of green, white and red Saturday at the Italian Festival of St. Liberata in Patchogue Village, where Main Street was bookended by rice balls and bocce balls. Patchogue's Italian-American of the Year, Artie Fuccillo, was also honored. The parade was led by Deacon Marty Mclndoe of St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church in Patchogue.
Deacon Marty explained the dollar bills adorned to the Saint Liberata statue, flanked by the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard, signify an act of mercy and sacrifice. Each year the money is donated to a local charity, which this year is the St. Francis Church. Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce helps organize the feast, which also includes a bocce ball tournament in front of the courthouse on West Main Street.
Source: http://www.greaterpatchogue.com/
