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Parade, ca. 1955 - Motorcycle policeman leads men carrying their banner
Parade, ca. 1955 - Motorcycle policeman is leading the men from Societa Principessa Elena  , carrying their banner. Photo: Robert Mayette / St. Michael's and Principessa Elena Society

Feast of St. Michael Festival

Celebration of the mass is an integral part of the Feast of Saint Michael Festival, held in Saratoga Springs and sponsored by the Principessa Elena Society. Honoring the patron saint of the West Side, the festival events take place around his statue, to which believers pin money for the granting of favors. There is a decided Italian flavor to the festival, as demonstrated by the multitude of ethnic food delicacies: biscotti, pizzelle, Italian sausage and pepper sandwiches, pasta e fagioli, and "pizza freets " (fried pizza dough dusted with confectioner's sugar). Italian ices are sold from the truck of a local family-owned company. Music and dancing fill the streets for three days and three nights. Held since 1914, the festival lapsed in 1975 and was revived in 1997.

Originally submitted by: John E. Sweeney, Representative (22th District).



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The Local Legacies project provides a "snapshot" of American Culture as it was expressed in spring of 2000. Consequently, it is not being updated with new or revised information with the exception of "Related Website" links.

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