St. Peter's Italian Bazaar fills Federal Street in Portland

Delayed a day by the remnants of Hurricane Debby, but in no way diminished, the St. Peter’s Italian Bazaar drew hundreds to Federal Street In Portland on Saturday, August 10.

Now in 98th year, the street festival is a celebration of the St. Peter Parish’s Italian heritage, which Bishop Ruggieri acknowledged during a Mass that kicked off the bazaar.

“The first Italians who established St. Peter’s came to the U.S. looking for a better life. Some things that they were looking for weren’t only economic. Part of their search was spiritual. They recognized they had a spiritual need. They wanted a place to worship. They wanted a place to attend to their needs, so they recognized that part of their search for a better life included the spiritual, and they found a home here in this parish. Most of the people who were here and are still here, obviously, treasure this place and support it fiercely,” the bishop said. “When we receive something we know is a gift and important to us, we cling to it. We try to hold on to it. We treasure it. We fiercely support it.”

And that is what parishioners have done for years, including supporting the annual bazaar. Volunteers will tell you that they have been baking cookies, spinning cotton candy, blowing up balloons, running game booths, or making food not for a few years but for decades.

“I’ve volunteered since I was a little girl,” says Susan Bowden. “I have done it ever since I could do it. Why? I love my church and my Italian heritage all the way.”

“I’ve been doing it a long time,” says Tom Ferrucci, who has been responsible for the balloons for 30 years but whose volunteerism goes back even longer. “It’s my parish. It was where I was baptized, and it is where I still go.”

A fundraiser for the parish, the St. Peter’s Italian Bazaar features old-fashioned carnival games, games for kids, Italian merchandise, live music, and of course food – lots of food. You can enjoy homemade pizza, ravioli, Italian meatballs, fried dough, Italian cookies, pizzelles, and other Italian favorites.

In offering an opening prayer and opening remarks at the bazaar, the bishop, whose paternal grandparents and maternal great grandparents emigrated from Italy, noted that being there brought back some fond memories.

“I have great memories of Italian festivals growing up in my hometown, so I feel very much at home among you,” he said. “I am really happy to be here tonight.”

If you missed out on Saturday, the bazaar continues on Sunday, August 11, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.