"Century of Devotion" Exhibit Regarding The 100th Anniversary of the Saint Sebastian's Church Festival. Begins Thursday, December 9th From 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.

Photo By Frank LoGiudice

“CENTURY OF DEVOTION” EXHIBIT ABOUT THE SAINT SEBASTIAN’S CHURCH FESTIVAL TO BEGIN THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021 FROM 5:30 P.M.-8 P.M. AT MIDDLESEX COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IN MIDDLETOWN.

 

There will be another event to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the Saint Sebastian’s Church Festival.  The Middlesex County Historical Society will present a ``Century of Devotion" exhibit about the Saint Sebastian’s Church Festival 100-year history.  It will begin on Thursday, December 9th with a reception from 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.  The exhibit will remain up until June 2022.  It is located at 151 Main Street in Middletown.

 

Dr. Jesse Nasta, the Executive Director stated “We are holding this exhibit because it is the 100th anniversary of the Feast. As you know, it has been celebrated every year in Middletown since 1921.”  

 

Nasta commented further, ``The exhibit commemorates and documents the St. Sebastian Feast’s century-long history in Middletown and six-century-long history in Melilli, Sicily. It includes rare photos from the Corvo Family Archive, provided by Bill Corvo, as well as nine 11x14'' photos of the annual “I Nuri” Run by Frank LoGiudice.¨ LoGiudice has been covering & photographing the Saint Sebastian’s Church Festival ¨I Nuri¨ Run since 1996.  One particular photo titled “A Long Walk For A Little Fellow'' that was taken in 2005 will be on display.  LoGiudice won an Honorable Mention Award for this photo from the CTSPJ in 2006 and other awards from the CTSPJ. 

 

There will be rare items and past photos of the Saint Sebastian’s Church Festival.  These items have been generously donated for this exhibit by church parishioners Corvo, Claudia DeFrance, Sandra Russo-Driska, LoGiudice, Philip Pessina, Sam Vinci, and St. Sebastian Church as well.  The Middletown Downtown Business District provided grant funding according to Nasta.  

 

The public is encouraged to come and view the exhibit.  For the reception on December 9th please wear a mask.  There will be remarks from the Exhibit & Feast Organizers at 6:30 p.m. commented Nasta.   After December 9th the hours for the exhibit will be on Tuesdays & Wednesdays  from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and by appointment.  Weekend hours will be announced.  Nasta stated ¨The historical society will also include an online version of the exhibit on its website, www.mchsct.org.¨

 

If you have not been vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus please get your shot. If you were vaccinated please do not forget to get your booster shot.  All individuals ages 18 & above who received their second dose of the Moderna & Pfizer vaccines at least six months ago and the Johnson & Johnson one shot vaccine two months ago are eligible now to get it according to the FDA & CDC.  To find out how to get your COVID-19 vaccine please see the following website:  

 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/How-Do-I-Get-a-COVID-19-Vaccine.html

 

Enjoy the videos.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWoQW-b6Ph8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZsoZ6Drjbw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo505ZyaCbA

 

 

This photo was of the 1928 Saint Sebastian Church Feast Auction on Lower Court Street. This photo appears courtesy of the Corvo Family Archive from Bill Corvo.