JESSUP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Jessup Carnival begins just before the Annual Race of the Saints on Saturday.
While the race falls on Saint Ubaldo Day, it also features Saint George and Saint Anthony.
But who are these saints, and why are they part of this celebration?
While it is a day celebrated for Saint Ubaldo himself. Each saint represents something different.
The color yellow represents Saint Ubaldo during the Festa Dei Ceri, but there are two other colors that embody two other saints, Georgio and Antonio.
Together, the trio represents different working classes.
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"In Gubbio, they wanted to include all the classes, and Saint Anthony represents the poor and the farmers," said Saint Anthony Family President David Valvano.
"Saint Ubaldo represented the stonemason and higher class, Saint Georgio represented the merchant class which is like the middle class," said Saint George participant Michael Arnoni.
You can choose whichever saint you want to represent, but for most people who participate in the race or are spectators, the Saint they represent has been rooted in their family's culture for generations.
"A lot of the people when they came over from Gubbio all settled here together. They brought their tradition with them and it's carried on here for over 100 years," Arnoni stated.
"It's all about family, it's about tradition, and having a legacy I guess you would call it, it's engraved in our heart and our soul, and it's really special for us," said Valvano.
Saint George shows courage, Saint Anthony shows compassion, and then Saint Ubaldo shows faith.
Tied together with the working class representation, the race of the saints symbolizes community standing together no matter what.
"Even though we are separated, we are all still all one, and I think it's important to remember we all come together at the end of the day and support each other," Arnoni added.
"It's indescribable to have all the families come together," Valvano stated.
So go see the three Saints run on Saturday. Spoiler alert, Saint Ubaldo always wins!
