WHEN HE TRIED TO BUY A GUN IN BIDDEFORD AND THAT TRIGGERED AN IMMIGRATION CONCERN. THE DELICIOUS SMELLS OF GOOD FOOD AND THE SOUNDS OF CELEBRATION IN PORTAND THIS WEEKEND. SAINT PETER’S CHURCH CELEBRATING á100 YEARSá OF THE ANNUAL SAINT PETER’S BAZAAR. THE ITALIAN FESTIVAL CELEBRATES THE PARISH’S VIBRANT ITALIAN HERITAGE. THERE ARE GAMES, LIVE MUSIC, PLENTY OF PIZZA AND PASTA…AS WELL AS ITALIAN COOKIES AND PASTRIES. ORGANIZERS SAY THEY’RE PROUD TO CONTINUE THIS TRADITION WITH THE COMMUNITY…AND THEY HOPE THIS FESTIVAL CONTINUES FOR ANOTHER 100 YEARS….. MANY OF THE, FAMILIES HAVE OBVIOUSLY MOVED AWAY BECAUSE OF JOBS AND OPPORTUNITY, HAS GONE TO BOSTON AND GONE TO NEW YORK AND THINGS LIKE THAT OR OTHER ENVIRONMENTS. AND, A LOT OF FAMILIES COME BACK TOGETHER IN AUGUST SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS PURPOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS, ANNUAL EVENT BECAUSE, IT’S, SORT OF, AN UNOFFICIAL FAMILY REUNION.” IF YOU MISSED THE FESTIVITIES TODAY – THE SAINT PETER’S BAZA
This year marks the 100th year of the annual St. Peter’s Italian Bazaar on Federal Street.The festival celebrates Assumption of Mary and Saint Rocco of St. Peter’s Parish with live music, entertainment and Italian cuisine.“I think we lose ourselves when we forget where we came from and how we got here,” Mike Collelo, festival co-chair, said. “What we’re doing here is celebrating the history and heritage of this neighborhood.”Festival staff served pasta and meatballs, handmade pizza, Italian cookies, cannoli, gelato and more.“My goal is to bring everybody together tonight, celebrate our faith, our families, our neighborhood,” Willie Audet Jr, festival co-chair with Collelo, said. “We’re here tonight to spread the love and enjoy our food, and I hope everyone can enjoy the celebration.”Collelo and Audet both reflected on the times they came to the festival with their family when they were younger.“I remember as a kid, my grandfather coming here from Italy and him telling me that this is a good place, work hard, do the right thing,” Colello said. “Make something that everybody’s proud of and that you can leave to your family and your children.””It’s a privilege and an honor to have the baton in my hand and bring it to the celebration of 100 years,” Audet said.The festival returns on Saturday at 5 p.m.
This year marks the 100th year of the annual St. Peter’s Italian Bazaar on Federal Street.
The festival celebrates Assumption of Mary and Saint Rocco of St. Peter’s Parish with live music, entertainment and Italian cuisine.
“I think we lose ourselves when we forget where we came from and how we got here,” Mike Collelo, festival co-chair, said. “What we’re doing here is celebrating the history and heritage of this neighborhood.”
Festival staff served pasta and meatballs, handmade pizza, Italian cookies, cannoli, gelato and more.
“My goal is to bring everybody together tonight, celebrate our faith, our families, our neighborhood,” Willie Audet Jr, festival co-chair with Collelo, said. “We’re here tonight to spread the love and enjoy our food, and I hope everyone can enjoy the celebration.”
Collelo and Audet both reflected on the times they came to the festival with their family when they were younger.
“I remember as a kid, my grandfather coming here from Italy and him telling me that this is a good place, work hard, do the right thing,” Colello said. “Make something that everybody’s proud of and that you can leave to your family and your children.”
“It’s a privilege and an honor to have the baton in my hand and bring it to the celebration of 100 years,” Audet said.
The festival returns on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Dining and Cooking