Providence celebrates St. Joseph’s Day with Italian songs, pastries on Federal Hill

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Sunday was St. Joseph’s Day and bakeries on Federal Hill said it was one of their busiest days of the year.

Thousands of residents flocked to the Hill to pick up their favorite Italian pastries.

“Its the most important thing in my life to keep these Italian bakeries alive, to keep the culture present,” the general manager of Scialo Bros. Bakery, Olivia DeAngelis said.

“I think for my generation some of our heritage has started to die down a little bit, but I’m an old soul and the Italian culture means everything to me,” she continued.

The bakery manager said the next busy season for them will be next month for Easter.

Mayor Brett Smiley also held a celebration at City Hall featuring a keynote address from Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and a musical performance by Di Pasquale and Murray on Monday.

Smiley presented many groups with citations to recognize their contribution to the city.

President of the Federal Hill Commerce Association, Rick Simone, said St. Joseph’s Day has always been a long-standing tradition in Providence and a way to celebrate the city’s rich Italian-American heritage.

Simone said he estimates close to 8,000 people attended the celebrations on Federal Hill.

“Its about bringing Italian people together to talk about their traditions and their faith to be honest with you,” Simone said.

“To see these traditions carry on and have the mayor recognize that, its really important to us,” he continued.

This is a photo of Mayor Brett Smiley and other city officials celebrating St. Joseph’s Day in the State House. (WLNE)