Santa Rosalia Fishermen's Festival

Santa Rosalia Fishermen's Festival

September, weekend after Labor Day

St. Rosalia is the patron saint of Palermo, and Sicilian Americans living in Monterey, California, observe a two-day festival in her honor in the hope that she will protect their fishermen at sea and provide an abundant catch.
The Santa Rosalia Fishermen's Festival dates prior to World War II, when a statue of the saint was taken in procession from San Carlos Church to fishermen's wharf. A blessing of the fleet followed, and the statue of Santa Rosalia was returned to the church for a concluding religious ceremony. By the early 1950s, however, the festival had expanded to include fireworks, parades, water events, contests, and colorful fishing nets decorating the streets of downtown Monterey.
Today the festival also celebrates Italian heritage with a traditional bocci ball competition, Italian music and food, and an arts and crafts fair.

CONTACTS:
Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau
P.O. Box 1770
Monterey, CA 93942
877-666-8373 or 831-649-6544
www.montereyinfo.org

SOURCES:
FolkAmerHol-1999, p. 394