The St. Ubaldo Day emphasizes faith, family and tradition in Jessup Scranton Times-Tribune

Jessup may be a small quiet district, but every year at the Memorial Day weekend it blooms to a celebration of faith, family and tradition during the St. Ubaldo Festival or “Festa dei Ceri”.

Saturday was no exception because at the beginning of the Midvalley Borough, the faithful culminated for a day full of activities in the “La Corsa dei Ceri”, where the participants run through the streets that carry the “Ceri” or wooden pushing, which are dedicated to one of three saints.

The day opened with a special mass service and then the throwing of hand -painted vases by the captains of three teams, which Saint Antonio, Saint Giorgio and Saint Ubaldo were dedicated.

The participants tried to choose pieces of the broken vases, which are believed to offer a year of happiness.

The celebrations are Jessup's version of compliance with La Festa dei Ceri in Gubbio, Italy. Italian immigrants brought the tradition of the Corsa Dei Ceri or the course of the holy at the beginning of the 20th century from Gubbio to Jessup.

Genie Lupini from Jessup is more familiar than with the activities of the day because he has participated in over 60 years.

Lupini from Jessup 21st Century Association even traveled to Gubbio in 2013, especially for her version of the festival.

She pointed out that many Italians are visited at the Gubbio Festival in her country where it has its roots.

But in Jessup, she said, all of each ethnicity and religion come out for the celebration, many even travel times for the special event.

And the tradition was passed on over generations, with many young people kicking the roles that their parents have previously occupied.

The most heartbreaking part of the event is when the runners make a steep hill down during the procession “La Corsa dei Ceri”.

Travel for tradition

Gina Pascolini and Terri Yanoski recently returned from this year's festival in Gubbio.

Pascolini has traveled to Italy four times for the event, always impressed by the ceremonial of the event and its ongoing sense of tradition.

It was Yanoski's first time to make the trip overseas for the event. She was overwhelmed by the sheer number of people who took part in the event and counted in the tens of thousands.

Pascolini, Valley View High School Choral Director, was particularly proud of the school's band, which comes out annually to offer a musical backdrop for the celebrations of the event.

Music is also a very important part of Gubbios event, she said.

Band director Ryan Berry said that band members really enjoy the opportunity to take part in the activities of the day and reflected the event of the event to every generation.