Photos: Annual St. Roch Church Procession Is a Highlight of Three-Day Feast

James Micik, who organized the 2025 St Roch Church procession was grateful for many things on Saturday. In the past the procession has been hampered by Covid protocols and occasionally by heavy rain, but this year, the only hitch was the event was on a Saturday rather than the typical Sunday.

“God blessed us with a beautiful day,” Micik said. “My partner Carmine Raiente is here as always.”

While many of the dignitaries who typically attend the procession on a Sunday were absent, Greenwich Town Clerk Jackie Budkins and Police chief Heavey were in attendance.

“Today we honor our patron saint,” Micik said, adding that the feast celebration was taking place in tandem with other St. Roch parishes including on Staten Island, in The Bronx, Michigan, Indiana, New Orleans and New York City.

Micik said the metal arch over the statue of St. Roch had been created by Salvatore Dipietro. The statue, covered in dollar bills, was wheeled down Alexander Street at 3:00pm, followed by a lively band from Brooklyn, The Giglio Band, and parishioners.

This year St. Roch’s Church has a new pastor, Father Peter Lenox, who for the first time led the procession through the streets of Chickahominy.

This year’s feast is scaled down due to lack of access to the Hamilton Avenue School campus where the garage and parking deck are undergoing major repairs. There are no carnival rides, though there are inflatables for children on the field at the corner of Hamilton Avenue and Stone Avenue and the church campus affords space for games, food and beer garden. The event continues through Sunday.