The annual St. Roch’s Church procession through Chickahominy was the culmination of a week of traditional church activities. The carnival ran from Wednesday through Saturday, with rides, games, food and drink, plus live music.
The procession took place Sunday morning after church mass, with about 50 people taking part in the 100+ year tradition, led by Pastor Carl McIntosh and his service dog.
Procession organizer James Micik introduced pastor McIntosh, who led a prayer to the church’s patron, St Rocco. After the Dixie Dandies played a few songs, the procession headed down Alexander Street and over to Hamilton Avenue.
This year the grand marshal was Paul Cappiali who had a busy week for his part in the four-day St Roch’s Feast where he oversaw the Bridgeport Diocese-wide raffle, with the exception of Annunciation Parish, with winners drawn Saturday night at 11:00pm at Hamilton Ave School. First prize was $20,000, which went to Lynne Tranos from St Clement Church in Stamford. Second prize, $6,000, went to Joe McHugh of Port Chester, who happens to be Chief of the Greenwich Fire Dept.
Mr. Cappiali, who is also the town’s Harbormaster, oversaw a drawing for a second raffle at 8:00pm, also on school property, under the jurisdiction of a separate company that was open to churches as far afield as Texas and New Jersey. You can watch both drawings here on YouTube.
Also participating in the procession were Bea Crumbine and Salvatore Dipietro, president of the charity organization in Greenwich called the Societa San Rocco Di Morra De Sanctis.
Also leading the procession was Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo who stayed busy during the feast carnival this week selling beer and wine on church property across the street from Hamilton Avenue School. Camillo previously served as grand marshal for the procession in 2021. Town Clerk Jackie Budkins was also in the procession. Her role on the feast committee was selecting the rides and games vendor.
State Senator Ryan Fazio (R-36), who helped lead the procession, is credited on the church website for introducing legislation that was passed into law having to do with financial reporting by charitable organizations, SB 1058.
See also:
PHOTOS: Soaking up the Fun at the St Roch’s Feast 2023
