NORTH WILDWOOD – Pat Ciarrocchi, noon anchorwoman for CBS 3’s Eyewitness News in Philadelphia, told a festive crowd Friday night at the 13th Annual Original Italian American Festival, that early in her broadcasting career, one of her managing editors subtly suggested she might consider changing her Italian-American surname.
She was undaunted, she said, and her response — “I said ‘No Way’” — was greeted with great applause by many a fan and proud Italian-American here.
This year’s festival brought out thousands from Friday through Sunday to enjoy the beautiful North Wildwood beaches and lots of great Italian music and food. It was a warm, comfortable evening Friday among shish-ka-bob, sausage and pepper stands and T-shirt vendors, for the kick off of this much-anticipated annual event, and Saint Anthony must have heard a few prayers, as the nice weather held out through Sunday.
The event kicked off with a procession down Olde New Jersey Avenue starting at Spruce Avenue. Representatives of the Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of the Rosary Council 2572, Sons of Italy Sylvester Grande Lodge 1838, and the current Miss North Wildwood, Casey McMonagle, along with Grand Marshall Ciarrocchi, accompanied a statue of Padre Pio. At a new bandstand blessed especially for the occasion, ceremonies included the presentation of an award honoring Ciarrocchi for her work on behalf of the Diocese of Camden House of Charity. Also present were recent First Comunicants from St. Anne’s parish, and local officials.
Ron and Gail Peters of North Wildwood enjoyed the festivities with their children, Rosie, 4, Sophie, 6, and Maggie, 7.
“It gets bigger every year,” said Ron.
Luckily for them, they only live a few blocks from the event. Despite the large crowd Friday, with streets blocked off at the foot of Olde New Jersey, parking was not a challenge for festival-goers. Sausage and peppers were a hit at the vendor stands, as was fresh corn on the cob, funnel cakes, cotton candy and fresh root beer.
The full weekend schedule included a variety of musical performances, mass on Sunday at St. Ann Catholic Church, and a special performance by the Philadelhpia Archdiocesan Boys Choir.
