2024 Feast of St. Rocco in Glen Cove: Food, schedule and more

It’s early Monday morning and a team of Italian grandmas are dusting giant slabs of eggplant in flour, dipping them in egg and tossing them in breadcrumbs before they hit the fryer.

"The flour helps the egg adhere to the eggplant and the breadcrumbs are what makes it crispy," says Lori Testa, 63, of Glen Cove.

Testa is one of the ladies who are affectionately known as the nonnas — a group of volunteers preparing for the 49th annual Feast of St. Rocco in Glen Cove, nicknamed "The Best Feast in the East," which arrives July 25-28. The event, which serves as a fundraiser for St. Rocco’s Roman Catholic Church, has an old-world charm and warmth that evokes a European flavor.

"There’s a feeling of home when you are here," says chairperson Angie Colangelo, of Glen Cove. "People who have left the area all come back for the feast. It’s almost like a family reunion."

From the food to the music, here's what you can expect at the festival.

WHAT'S ON THE MENU

The four-day feast brings in more than 150,000 people to Third Street and St. Rocco Place where everyone comes hungry. The big draw is the homemade Italian food prepared by the nonnas under the direction of head chef Arturo Gomes, of Glen Cove.

"Every year, I change the menu 20% in order to keep it successful," says Gomes, 70, who has been volunteering for 14 years. "At the end of the night, there are no leftovers. I want to make sure everyone leaves happy with full stomachs."

The church’s indoor dining room known as The Pasta Pavilion features daily specials ranging from fresh cod Livornese (olives, capers, garlic, parsley and white wine) with shrimp to short ribs cooked in red wine with tomatoes over fettuccine to the ever-popular Nonna’s Sunday Dinner containing fresh pasta, meatballs, sausage and braciola. Then there are the mainstay favorites such as chicken cutlet Parmesan, eggplant rollatini, fried shrimp, baked clams and more. All dishes range from $18-$25.

"We always have two trays of chicken parm and eggplant parm each going at the same time and we keep replacing them," says Nonna Doreen Reali, 78, of Sea Cliff, who has been volunteering for 20 years.

Nonna Kathy DiSimone, of Glen Cove, works the front of the house as a host greeting and seating people. "The line is nonstop. There’s no lull," says DiSimone, 74. "But people don’t complain because they know it’s worth the wait. They come out happy, rubbing their bellies."

FOOD ON THE GO

For those who prefer the takeout route, there are booths outside selling homemade Italian specialties to go such as rice balls ($6), tripe ($8-$15), a trio of meatballs ($9), chicken or eggplant Parmesan heros ($12), fresh peaches and wine ($6) and hot and sweet sausage and pepper heros ($15).

"The aroma of the sausage and peppers is intoxicating," says Colangelo. "That smell signifies the feast."

ESPRESSO, CANNOLI AND MORE 

Have dessert al fresco in St. Rocco’s garden as part of the side courtyard where you can order a variety of coffees ($2-$4), espresso ($3), cappuccino floats ($6), flavored cannolis ($5) and Italian cookies ($5 per bag). Enjoy some live traditional Italian music while you sip and nibble. Performances run 7 to 11 p.m. (5 to 9 p.m. on Sunday) with the following groups: Primavera (July 25), Lo Stivale (July 26), Don Felice (July 27) and Pane e Chocolate (July 28). A special performance for kids takes place at 3 p.m. on July 27 featuring the Taylor Swift tribute act Totally Taylor.

ST. ROCCO STATUE PROCESSIONAL

After the 10:15 a.m. Mass on July 28, a special procession sets off as a St. Rocco statue gets carried through the neighborhood by Pastor Father Daniel Nash, other clergy and 75-100 parishioners accompanied by an Italian marching band.

"St. Rocco is a patron saint of the sick. People pin money or gold on the cape of the St. Rocco statue for prayers answered. They both sing and pray along the route," says Colangelo. "He even visits the homebound, who can’t go to church, therefore St. Rocco comes to them. It’s beyond emotional."

FEAST, RIDES AND GAMES

This year’s carnival, by Newton Shows of East Northport, area will showcase rides like the Super Shot — a 90-foot drop tower, Pharaoh’s Fury — a giant Egyptian boat that swings from side to side, as well as a 75-foot Ferris wheel.

Owner-president Mike Newton, who has been running the carnival area for 20 years, says:  "The feeling you get from the home-cooked food and the overall atmosphere is filled with authenticity."

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.