St. Rocco’s Fest will celebrate with food, music and bocce on Sunday

File photos by Tom Rivers: Joe Morlino was among many volunteers cooking food at St. Rocco’s Italian Festival in Hulberton on Sept. 1, 2024. The event is a big fundraiser for the ONE Catholic Family of Churches. Morlino has been volunteering at the festival for 20 years. He is shown cooking French fries, ravioli and mozzarella sticks.

Press Release, ONE Catholic Family of Churches

HULBERTON – The St Rocco’s Annual Italian Festival is celebrating its 51st year with a variety of local musicians on Sunday.

Live music will begin at 11 a.m., and it will feature a varied line-up of talent under the tent throughout the afternoon until 4 p.m.

First up, from 11a.m. to noon, will be PSA – Public Service Announcement, a  Holley High School band including lead singer Isla Schultz, Brody Williams on drums, Aidan Kelley on guitar and Kallan Babcock on bass.

From noon to 1 p.m., Roxy’s Accordion Band will take the stage. The legacy of Roxy Caccamise and her Roxy’s Music Store in Batavia has carried on after her passing by her family and a collection of accordion enthusiasts.

Katie Robinson, a pianist and vocalist, will perform from 1 to 2 p.m. Katie performs hits from the 1970s and 1980s including Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Carole King, Seals and Crofts, Cyndi Lauper, James Taylor and more.

Rounding out the live music, from 2 to 4 p.m. will be the Bennetts Corners Band. The band members are Michael Kinsey, Tom Kinsey, Charles Kinsey and Nathaniel Kinsey. They play American Folk, Celtic Folk, American Country, Sea Shanties, and they take occasional comedic breaks.

“We are blessed and excited to be able to host this wonderful community event,” said Jeanne Maxon, chair of the festival committee. “It is especially fun to showcase some amazing local musicians – so please bring a lawn chair and enjoy the free entertainment.”

The St. Rocco Italian Festival is at 3415 Hulberton Rd.  Traditional food favorites are served from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the beer tent will offer Rohrbach Beer & Black Creek Cidery on tap.

There will be a bocce tournament, vendors, raffles and family play areas. The event grounds are a smoke & vape free environment. For their safety, no pets will be allowed. There is plenty of free on-site parking. The festival is a cash-only event with no ATM access.

Members of a band, PSA, from Holley Central School performed on June 24 when the Seneca Chief boat came to town. The band members include lead singer Isla Schultz, Brody Williams on drums, Aidan Kelley on guitar and Kallan Babcock on bass.