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Thousands expected for 100th annual festival to celebrate Saints Cosmas and Damian

By WKTV News

Story Created: Sep 28, 2012 at 12:02 PM EDT

Story Updated: Sep 28, 2012 at 12:14 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - More than 10,000 people from all over the northeast and Canada are expected to flock to the city of Utica this weekend to celebrate Saints Cosmas and Damian for the 100th annual festival held at St. Anthony's Church in East Utica.

Saints Cosmas and Damian were twin brothers and doctors who lived in Syria during the third century and were known for their charity and for healing the sick.

One hundred buses will drop people off to pray this weekend as well as eat.

"Pizza frit, eggplant sandwiches, we have liver, which is a traditional dish for this region of Italy," said Organizer John Aliasso. "We have sausage, pasta fagiloi, a lot of cheese. People come and buy cheese and take it back with them."

The festival runs from 4 - 10 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. - 4 pm on Sunday.

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