Tradition continues at St. Rocco Feast and Festival

ON THE STAGE: Retired Gen. Reginald Centracchio, center, is joined by members of his quintet during Sunday night’s performance.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

TICKET BOOTH: The ticket booth is manned by Richard Siravo, Carmine Goneconte, Phil Seabelt and Deacon Bob Troia.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

EYES ON THE PRIZE: Aidan Williams, 8, a fourth-grader at St. Rocco’s School, is joined by his mother Crystal Dakin at the ticket counter.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

GONE FISHIN’: Mia Silvestri, 3, holds an imitation fishing pole she used to win a stuffed animal.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

SWEET TREATS: Cecilia Celseti displays one of hundreds of doughboys she and other volunteers cooked during the event.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

FAMILIAR FACE: WPRI news anchor Mike Montecalvo – who is also a St. Rocco parishioner – is all smiles while talking with his friend Dolores Fargnoli.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

CANDLES: St. Rocco religious candles were a popular item during the feast and festival.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

STRAW DRAW: The Straw Draw booth brought in some additional revenue and was manned by the group above.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

UNDER THE BIG TOP: Julia Carroll, 8, holds a panda bear she won. She is joined by her mother Sandy under the “Big Top.”

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

POPULAR ATTRACTION: Rockwell Amusement’s bungee jumping proved to be quite popular.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

A BLESSING: The Rev. Angelo Carusi, pastor at St. Rocco Church, offers a blessing during Sunday’s procession. He also served as honorary chairman of the feast and festival.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

SHOW OF FAITH: Proud parishioners carry the statute of Saint Rocco during Sunday’s procession.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

ON THE MARCH: Many students who attend Saint Rocco School marched in Sunday’s procession.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

COLOR GUARD: In keeping with tradition, the Johnston Police Color Guard again led the religious procession on Sunday.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

LEADING THE WAY: Richard Montella, left, and John Ricci enjoy a light moment prior to the religious procession that featured the statute of Saint Rocco.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

Posted Thursday, August 20, 2015 2:39 pm

Pete Fontaine

Aiden Williams has probably never heard of the Beach Boys, but the nine-year-old Johnston youngster took a page from the group’s hit “Be True to Your School” during the final hours of the St. Rocco Church Feast and Festival on Sunday.

Aiden stepped up to a booth manned Deacon Bob Troia, Phil Seabolt, Carmine Goneconte and Richard Siravo, and purchased tickets the parish’s annual grand prize drawing that featured cash prizes of $5,000, $1,500 and $1,000. “I’m going to win!” the youngster exclaimed.

While his mother, Crystal Dakin, filled out the raffle tickets, the men working the booth learned Aiden is a fourth-grader at St. Rocco School. And while he didn’t win the big prize, his mom said he “had a great time playing and helping his school.”

Stories like that were commonplace during the fun-filled, four-day feast and festival, which benefits the Roman Catholic parish located at 927 Atwood Ave. in Johnston.

While winners of the grand raffle were Aggie Boffa, John Cece and Toni DiMarco, everyone enjoyed a variety of homemade pastries and doughboys that were covered with either powdered sugar or marinara sauce.

People really liked the sausage and pepper sandwiches prepared by such celebrities as parish member and WPRI news anchor Mike Montecalvo, and the many games that offered prizes like blown-up balloon characters and stuffed animals. There were also rides set up by Rockwell Amusements, a Johnston-based company owned and operated by Harold Fera.

Co-chairmen Richard Montella and John Ricci performed a myriad of duties, and thanked each and every person that attended this year’s feast and festival – along with the countless volunteers who worked to make the event an overwhelming success.

Among them were Arlene Troia, Lisa Cairo, Katie Mansolillo, Claire Barattini, Karen Lopes, Linda Cournoyer, Charlene McGowan, Heather McGowan, Sandra Branca, Louise Sarazen, Arlene Siravo and Dolores, who worked the Straw Draw booth.

Eileen Branca, Deena Hartley, Michele Jacavone and Susan Mooradian, worked the sweet shoppe, and Lucile Barone, Cecila Celseti, Lucy Loppo and Patricia Bowman – just to name a few – labored tirelessly in the hot and humid temperatures making doughboys from fresh made dough that was donated by St. Rocco’s neighbor, Don DePetrillo, who owns and operates the Original Italian Bakery.