Middletown St. Sebastian Fest is Photographer's Favorite Annual Event

One of my favorite events in the area is the annual St. Sebastian's Church Festival. This year will mark the 92nd anniversary celebration and my favorite part is the annual "I Nuri" Run which takes place on Sunday.  

I have been photographing this event since 1996 for the Town Times newspaper.  

The "I Nuri" are dressed in white clothing with red sashes, holding flowers in one hand, they run either barefoot or in stocking feet and they have a picture of St. Sebastian pinned on their clothing. There is no age discrimination when it comes to being an "I Nuri," as both the young and old and males and females all participate in this spiritual event.  

There are two groups of "I Nuri" — one starts at the cemetery in Middlefield and the other is stationed at the corner of Main and Washington streets waiting for the High Mass in honor of St. Sebastian to be over. This second group starts at the former Garibaldi Society in Middletown. 

The group that  starts at the cemetery in Middlefield will leave in batches between 10 and 11 a.m. in order to be at the church by 12:15 p.m., when the High Mass is over.  

During the "I Nuri" trek from the cemetery and Court Street, they will proclaim loudly throughout the streets of Middlefield and Middletown, "Primu Diu e Sammastianu," meaning first God, then St. Sebastian.  

Once the Mass is over, both groups of "I Nuri" join one another and run into the church still chanting "Primu Diu e Sammastianu" and then a group of church parishioners will carry the statue of St. Sebastian out of the church with the faithful "I Nuri" following them then the church parishioners would hand the statue of St. Sebastian over to the "I Nuri," who will then parade it through city streets for everyone to see.  

During the processional of the St. Sebastian's statue on city streets, the local Sam Vinci band plays the popular "Seven" song and the "I Nuri" are still saying, loud and clear, "Primu Diu e Sammastianu!" 

Here are some highlights: 

Friday 

• The St. Sebastian's Church Festival officially opens at 5 p.m. It runs from 5 to 10 p.m with carnival rides, refreshments and music by DJ's Nick Fazzino & Louis Aresco. 6 p.m.: Claudio Colombo.  
  

Saturday

• Family Day, 12 to 10 p.m. Carnival rides all day with the purchase of a $20 bracelet. Music By DJs Nick Fazzino and Louis Aresco beginning at noon. 
• 3 p.m.: Stage Left Dance Studio on the Grand Stage.  
• 5 p.m. Unveiling of the Statue of St. Sebastian during the 5 p.m. Holy Mass with the "Nuri" wardrobe blessing celebrated by the Rev. James Thaikoottathil.   
• 6 p.m., Wine judging. At 7:30 p.m., the winner will be announced on the Grand Stage. 
• 6 to 10 p.m.: The band, Sound Alternative, will perform on the Grand Stage.  

Sunday

• 8 a.m. Italian Mass.  
• 11 a.m.: Solemn Pontifical Mass in honor of St. Sebastian. The celebrant will be the Most Rev. Frank Joseph Caggiano, Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn, New York. This Mass will be broadcast live on WLIS/WMRD-AM 1150 and 1420 in Middletown and Old Saybrook. The "I Nuri" will arrive at the church at 12:15 p.m. at the conclusion of the High Mass to pay homage to their patron saint. The venerable statue of St. Sebastian will be carried in solemn procession through the city of Middletown with the Relic of St. Sebastian and the Sam Vinci Marching Band.  
• 12 to 10 p.m. is Family Day.  
• 12-1 p.m.: Music By DJ's Nick Fazzino & Louis Aresco.  
• 1 p.m. Claudio Colombo 
• The Veneration of the Relic of St. Sebastian from 2-7 p.m. inside the church.  
• 2 p.m. Auction on Grand Stage.  
• 4 p.m. Italian Cultural Center of Middletown/Stage Left Dance Studio. 
• 5 p.m. Solemn Pontifical Mass. The celebrant will be the Most Rev. Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich.  
• 6 p.m. Raffle Drawing on Grand Stage.  
• 6-10 p.m. The band Sound Alternative will appear on the Grand Stage  
• The Mass closing of the St. Sebastian statue will take place on May 26, 2013 at 5 p.m.