The Society of St. Sebastian’s feast and carnival returned to Montclair last week, continuing a tradition that’s been going on for nearly a century.
The society celebrated its “95th Anniversary Feast,” after last year’s carnival was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic (but the procession continued). Visitors came to the festival, near Kaveny Field along Walnut and Christopher Streets, from Wednesday, Aug. 25 through Sunday, Aug. 29 — with the traditional Mass in honor of St. Sebastian at Our Lady Of Mount Carmel Church followed by a procession through the streets of Montclair on the final day.
St. Sebastian is honored as the patron saint of soldiers, and defender against plagues and disease.
The alter and procession arrives at the Society of St. Sebastian feast on Sunday, Aug. 29. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) The alter and procession arrives at the Society of St. Sebastian feast on Sunday, Aug. 29. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Alex Pavel gives her son, Sebastian, a taste of her pork skewer at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Alex Pavel gives her son, Sebastian, a taste of her pork skewer at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
The songs of Sinatra fill the air, as Eric Del Laurio serenades the crowd at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) The songs of Sinatra fill the air, as Eric Del Laurio serenades the crowd at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Officer Pierre, Tucker Johns and Joe Bullaro make their 'donations' at the raffle ticket booth at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Officer Pierre, Tucker Johns and Joe Bullaro make their 'donations' at the raffle ticket booth at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Ariah Onquet catches a ride on the flying elephants at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Ariah Onquet catches a ride on the flying elephants at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
The screams from the Ring of Fire fill air of the carnival grounds at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) The screams from the Ring of Fire fill air of the carnival grounds at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
The Metropolitan Festival Band takes a breather at Kaveny Field at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) The Metropolitan Festival Band takes a breather at Kaveny Field at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
The midway of the Society of St. Sebastian carnival attracts a crowd for each booth Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) The midway of the Society of St. Sebastian carnival attracts a crowd for each booth Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Matthew Trombino and Gabriella Feliciano try their luck at the water guns at the Society of St. Sebastian carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Matthew Trombino and Gabriella Feliciano try their luck at the water guns at the Society of St. Sebastian carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Israel Jackson and Emily Nicosia share a moment at the Society of St. Sebastian carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Israel Jackson and Emily Nicosia share a moment at the Society of St. Sebastian carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
The Giglio Band leads the procession into the park and fairgrounds at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) The Giglio Band leads the procession into the park and fairgrounds at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Mozzarella man Jason Zarcone shows how it's done at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Mozzarella man Jason Zarcone shows how it's done at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Chelsea Bialick sugars the bags of hot Zeppole at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Chelsea Bialick sugars the bags of hot Zeppole at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Zeppole fry under the watchful eye of Willy Romero at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Zeppole fry under the watchful eye of Willy Romero at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Shana Baman snacks a Kosher Dill at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Shana Baman snacks a Kosher Dill at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Andre Fard wolfs down the funnel cake with Brittany Taylor at the Society of St. Sebastian Andre Fard wolfs down the funnel cake with Brittany Taylor at the Society of St. Sebastian
Dash Day and Jaydin Fisher Search for Pokemon at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Dash Day and Jaydin Fisher Search for Pokemon at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Marchers circle the area around Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church as they head to the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Marchers circle the area around Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church as they head to the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Marchers circle the area around Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church as they head to the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Marchers circle the area around Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church as they head to the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
The Rev. Amilcar Benito Prado of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, also known as "Father Benny," at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) The Rev. Amilcar Benito Prado of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, also known as "Father Benny," at the Society of St. Sebastian feast and carnival Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Members of the Society of St. Sebastian prepare for the procession. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Members of the Society of St. Sebastian prepare for the procession. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Vincent and Dana Poliseno of Verona arrive with flowers and donations for St. Sebastian. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Vincent and Dana Poliseno of Verona arrive with flowers and donations for St. Sebastian. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Eleanor Proto and Angela Ficarra-Socio, both of Glen Ridge, chat on the steps of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, waiting for the statue of the St. Sebastian. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Eleanor Proto and Angela Ficarra-Socio, both of Glen Ridge, chat on the steps of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, waiting for the statue of the St. Sebastian. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
The Rev. Amilcar Benito Prado, also known as "Father Benny," delivers the statue of St. Sebastian, protector against plagues, patron of archers and athletes, to the crowd outside Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on Pine Street. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) The Rev. Amilcar Benito Prado, also known as "Father Benny," delivers the statue of St. Sebastian, protector against plagues, patron of archers and athletes, to the crowd outside Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on Pine Street. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Kunal Chothani and Ava watch the Society of St. Sebastian procession arrive for a rest stop on Glenridge Avenue. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Kunal Chothani and Ava watch the Society of St. Sebastian procession arrive for a rest stop on Glenridge Avenue. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Sebastiano Locasico, Jr. threads the donations over the altar of the St. Sebastian. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Sebastiano Locasico, Jr. threads the donations over the altar of the St. Sebastian. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Ennio Momgiot threads donations to drape on the altar of St. Sebastian. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Ennio Momgiot threads donations to drape on the altar of St. Sebastian. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Michael Aromando leads the Metropolitan Festival Band out of Clark to play for the Society of St. Sebastian procession. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Michael Aromando leads the Metropolitan Festival Band out of Clark to play for the Society of St. Sebastian procession. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Michael Aromando leads the Metropolitan Festival Band out of Clark to play for the Society of St. Sebastian procession. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Michael Aromando leads the Metropolitan Festival Band out of Clark to play for the Society of St. Sebastian procession. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
The bands play Italian tunes and the crowd outside Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church grows as the crew prepares for the Society of St. Sebastian's annual procession Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) The bands play Italian tunes and the crowd outside Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church grows as the crew prepares for the Society of St. Sebastian's annual procession Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Members of the Society of St. Sebastian position the saint on the altar for their annual procession on Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Members of the Society of St. Sebastian position the saint on the altar for their annual procession on Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
The St. Sebastian's Society banner leads the procession for the church and the statue. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) The St. Sebastian's Society banner leads the procession for the church and the statue. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Members of the St. Sebastian's Society retrieve the altar for the saint as they head for the church and the statue, for the procession on Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Members of the St. Sebastian's Society retrieve the altar for the saint as they head for the church and the statue, for the procession on Sunday. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
The Giglio Band plays the national anthem as the honor guard emerges with the colors. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) The Giglio Band plays the national anthem as the honor guard emerges with the colors. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
The Giglio Band plays the national anthem as the honor guard emerges with the colors. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) The Giglio Band plays the national anthem as the honor guard emerges with the colors. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Sebastiano Locascio, Jr., President of The St. Sebastiano Society, at the Glenridge Avenue headquarters before the procession. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Sebastiano Locascio, Jr., President of The St. Sebastiano Society, at the Glenridge Avenue headquarters before the procession. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Feast President Danny Armenio, chats with Sebastiano Locascio, Jr., President of The St. Sebastiano Society, at the Glenridge Avenue headquarters before the procession. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Feast President Danny Armenio, chats with Sebastiano Locascio, Jr., President of The St. Sebastiano Society, at the Glenridge Avenue headquarters before the procession. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
Feast President Danny Armenio, center, chats with Sebastiano Locascio, Jr., President of The St. Sebastiano Society, seated left, at the Glenridge Avenue headquarters before the procession. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL) Feast President Danny Armenio, center, chats with Sebastiano Locascio, Jr., President of The St. Sebastiano Society, seated left, at the Glenridge Avenue headquarters before the procession. (ADAM ANIK/FOR MONTCLAIR LOCAL)
