Watkins Glen Italian Festival.

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Festival History

The festival was originally conceived by a small group of Watkins Glen Italian Americans to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption that takes place in August each year. The Virgin Mary was held on the shoulders of the men in a procession through the streets of Watkins Glen. Held for many years in Layfayette Park in Watkins Glen the event was small in the early years. Growth brought the event to its current site at Clute Park. Now a three day festival the event welcomes 50,00 visitors each year.

Watkins Glen/Schuyler County Italian American History

Through the Windows of St. Mary’s, by Jean Argetsinger and Patricia Suits Ellison

In 1900, a quarter of a million Italians had immigrated into the New York State and by 1904, the number increased to half a million. The majority of immigrants did remain in large cities, but a significant number pushed west into rural communities.

The pattern of Italian immigration into Watkins Glen followed the general immigration pattern. They came to Watkins just a few at first, in 1890, then by scores, and finally by hundreds. The immigrants were attracted to Watkins for various reasons: the prosperous look of the town, the wish to settle among friends, and the stability offered by the jobs in the salt companies. They moved in, saved their money, and as soon as possible, sent for friends and relatives.

In the 1890’s two salt companies were established in Watkins Glen. In 1892, the original Glen Salt Company was founded on the west shore of Seneca Lake. It became the International Salt Company and the Akzo Nobel Salt, Inc. It is currently US Salt, Inc. In 1896, the Watkins Salt Company began operation at the head of the lake. It is now Cargill, Inc. They have both been operating continuously since they started. The immediate need for more laborers than Watkins Glen could supply brought the immigrants to Watkins in large numbers.

The motive to come to America was “pane e lavero” (bread and work). In 1900 it was not unusual for males to immigrate to America and leave families behind. The first of these men came alone, worked for a year or two, went back to Italy, married and then came back for good. Others were already married, but came alone and the afterward sent money back to bring over the wife and children to stay for good. From 1900 to 1910, 95 percent of all immigrants arriving at Ellis Island were joining friends and family with money sent to them from America.

The trip from home in Italy to Watkins could take a month. There was often a long wait at the port of embarkment, where sleeping and eating accommodations were primitive. The trip across the Atlantic in steerage was miserable.

After working their way through Ellis Island, the final challenge was to board the right train to Elmira. With limited English, it was not difficult.

Dedicated and brave women with children made the trip to join their husbands. Men and families went back and forth to their homes in Italy, anxious to keep families together.

Most of the Italians who came to Watkins Glen were poor, but they had a desire to better themselves. They saved a large proportion of their salaries, eager to build or buy a house and have a little ga5rden in the yard with, maybe, a few chickens.

It was not all work and no play. The Madonna Dellassunt, founded in 1900, functioned like a lodge and organized social events for the Italian community, such as the celebration of the Feast of the Assumption on August 15 (the present day Schuyler County Italian American Festival).

St. Mary’s of the Lake church was a haven to the Italian women who spoke little or no English. Confused and lonely, they turned to the church. With shawls over their heads, the women came to pray to the Virgin Mary. The mass, said in Latin, was a connection to God and Italy. Fortunately, the pastor took the Italians to himself with as much cordiality and understanding as he had the Irish. Stories of his kindness and concerns abound.

In 1920, when the church had extensive renovation, the Italians contributed money and labor. By 1995 they made up more than 70 percent of the parish membership. The descendants of the Italian immigrants are part of the texture of the community as lawyers, government officials, civic leaders and merchants.

This history is not a complete record of the Italians in Watkins Glen, but an account of some of the early pioneers who’s descendants maintain St. Mary’s of the Lake Church. It is based on personal interviews with basic facts interwoven with family folklore.

Each immigrant has a different story, yet there is a common thread of courage and pain running through each one. Their memory should never be allowed to fade.

The Italians of Watkins Glen, by Patricia Prosperi

(This article, appearing in the Schuyler County Historical Society Newsletter July 1990, Volume 26, No. 3, uses excerpts from a thesis written by student Patricia Prosperi of Valois. The entire thesis is part of the reocrds now in the research library at the Schuyler County Historical Society in Montour Falls, NY)

The Italian immigrant's experiences and patterns of assimilation varied according to the particular American environment into which he settled.

The pattern of Italian immigrants into Watkins Glen followed the general immigraion pattern. They came...just a few at first, around 1890, then by the scores...The earliest immigrants usually worked as laborers on various railroad projects. But as this handful of early Italian Americans settled in Watkins Glen, the salt plants increasingly began to offer jobs opportunities, and the early immigrants sent for their friends and relatives from Italy.

All available evidence confirms that man named Albert Pecorara was the first Italian to settle in Watkins Glen. Mr. Pecorara was born in 1870 in Rocaromana in the state of Croseita, Italy. In 1889, the sheep and cattle on his family farm were decimated by disease and Albert emigrated to America. He landed in New York City and, two months later, moved to California where he worked as a laborer on the railroad for six months. Seeking to better his position, he returned to New York City where he learned to be a barber.

A few months later, he moved to Griggsville and opened a barber shop. From there, he moved to Rochester, NY and in late 1891, to Watkins Glen where he opened a grocery store. In 1900 he married Laura Saragene from Palmali Province, Cketa.

One historical reference says that he spoke English well and acted as an interpreter for other Italians here and may have participated in a type of "padrone" system, involving Italian laborers at the Lehigh Valley Railroad in Burdett. The padrone system was an "age-old system of work contract in the Medciterranean world." As the large, floating unskilled labor supply arrived, the padrone became a middle-man, the organizer. Sometimes a padrone would recruit workers from his home country with a promise to find employment for them at a wage which seemed most favorable by comparison to pay in the old country. The padrone would have a contract with an American employer. For acting as a lobor-broker, the padrone received commissions from both employer and the hired hands. The padrone ususally served, too, as the workers' banker, exchanging and sending money back to Italy, ususally for a fee.

In short, the padrone, on the whole, provided valuable services to the Italian immigrants. He played a vital role in stinmulating and directing Italians to America. He was among the first to stir the masses and open their eyes to the tremendous opportunities awaiting them in America.

By the late 1880's, such a camp existed in Burdett with Mr. Pecorara in charge of the commissary. Railroad laborers were forced to buy their supplies there as the next closest was five miles away.

The Italians experienced prejudices and problems in their new home. One area concerned their relationship with the Irish immigrants who had come earlier. Father Thomas KcKenna, recognizing some of the newcomers' difficulties, helped them learn English and the data needed to pass the citizenship tests. An unexpected problem arose within St. Mary's Church which was then struggling financially. The priest indicated he would welcome the Italians if they could contribute needed funds but the Irish dominated congregation felt they had built the brick church with their donations and labor and that it should remain theirs.

When the church was extensively renovated in the 1920's, with the generous assistance both in cash and labor from the Italians, the rivalry began to diminish, according to many interviews with local families involved.

Miss Prosperi's thesis states: "The economic assimilation of the Italians into Watkins Glen was a slow process. Starting at the bottom of the economic scale, they, through hard work and scrupulous savings, gradually ascended the economic ladder. In general, Italian immigrants were able to save more money than any other ethnic group. The inherited work ethic led to the slow but steady improvement." The Italian parents "pushed" their children to do well in school and become "Americanized."


Home Festival Events Patrons & Friends Heritage Scholarships Festival Committee Photo Gallery Lodging/Area Information Contact Us Maps Volunteering Vendor Information Bocce Tournament Fireworks Parade Community Motorcycle Show Signup for our newsletter Keep up with the latest happenings. Simply fill out our form. Click the button below. Sign Up	Festival History The festival was originally conceived by a small group of Watkins Glen Italian Americans to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption that takes place in August each year. The Virgin Mary was held on the shoulders of the men in a procession through the streets of Watkins Glen. Held for many years in Layfayette Park in Watkins Glen the event was small in the early years. Growth brought the event to its current site at Clute Park. Now a three day festival the event welcomes 50,00 visitors each year. Watkins Glen/Schuyler County Italian American History Through the Windows of St. Mary’s, by Jean Argetsinger and Patricia Suits Ellison In 1900, a quarter of a million Italians had immigrated into the New York State and by 1904, the number increased to half a million. The majority of immigrants did remain in large cities, but a significant number pushed west into rural communities. The pattern of Italian immigration into Watkins Glen followed the general immigration pattern. They came to Watkins just a few at first, in 1890, then by scores, and finally by hundreds. The immigrants were attracted to Watkins for various reasons: the prosperous look of the town, the wish to settle among friends, and the stability offered by the jobs in the salt companies. They moved in, saved their money, and as soon as possible, sent for friends and relatives. In the 1890’s two salt companies were established in Watkins Glen. In 1892, the original Glen Salt Company was founded on the west shore of Seneca Lake. It became the International Salt Company and the Akzo Nobel Salt, Inc. It is currently US Salt, Inc. In 1896, the Watkins Salt Company began operation at the head of the lake. It is now Cargill, Inc. They have both been operating continuously since they started. The immediate need for more laborers than Watkins Glen could supply brought the immigrants to Watkins in large numbers. The motive to come to America was “pane e lavero” (bread and work). In 1900 it was not unusual for males to immigrate to America and leave families behind. The first of these men came alone, worked for a year or two, went back to Italy, married and then came back for good. Others were already married, but came alone and the afterward sent money back to bring over the wife and children to stay for good. From 1900 to 1910, 95 percent of all immigrants arriving at Ellis Island were joining friends and family with money sent to them from America. The trip from home in Italy to Watkins could take a month. There was often a long wait at the port of embarkment, where sleeping and eating accommodations were primitive. The trip across the Atlantic in steerage was miserable. After working their way through Ellis Island, the final challenge was to board the right train to Elmira. With limited English, it was not difficult. Dedicated and brave women with children made the trip to join their husbands. Men and families went back and forth to their homes in Italy, anxious to keep families together. Most of the Italians who came to Watkins Glen were poor, but they had a desire to better themselves. They saved a large proportion of their salaries, eager to build or buy a house and have a little ga5rden in the yard with, maybe, a few chickens. It was not all work and no play. The Madonna Dellassunt, founded in 1900, functioned like a lodge and organized social events for the Italian community, such as the celebration of the Feast of the Assumption on August 15 (the present day Schuyler County Italian American Festival). St. Mary’s of the Lake church was a haven to the Italian women who spoke little or no English. Confused and lonely, they turned to the church. With shawls over their heads, the women came to pray to the Virgin Mary. The mass, said in Latin, was a connection to God and Italy. Fortunately, the pastor took the Italians to himself with as much cordiality and understanding as he had the Irish. Stories of his kindness and concerns abound. In 1920, when the church had extensive renovation, the Italians contributed money and labor. By 1995 they made up more than 70 percent of the parish membership. The descendants of the Italian immigrants are part of the texture of the community as lawyers, government officials, civic leaders and merchants. This history is not a complete record of the Italians in Watkins Glen, but an account of some of the early pioneers who’s descendants maintain St. Mary’s of the Lake Church. It is based on personal interviews with basic facts interwoven with family folklore. Each immigrant has a different story, yet there is a common thread of courage and pain running through each one. Their memory should never be allowed to fade. The Italians of Watkins Glen, by Patricia Prosperi (This article, appearing in the Schuyler County Historical Society Newsletter July 1990, Volume 26, No. 3, uses excerpts from a thesis written by student Patricia Prosperi of Valois. The entire thesis is part of the reocrds now in the research library at the Schuyler County Historical Society in Montour Falls, NY) The Italian immigrant's experiences and patterns of assimilation varied according to the particular American environment into which he settled. The pattern of Italian immigrants into Watkins Glen followed the general immigraion pattern. They came...just a few at first, around 1890, then by the scores...The earliest immigrants usually worked as laborers on various railroad projects. But as this handful of early Italian Americans settled in Watkins Glen, the salt plants increasingly began to offer jobs opportunities, and the early immigrants sent for their friends and relatives from Italy. All available evidence confirms that man named Albert Pecorara was the first Italian to settle in Watkins Glen. Mr. Pecorara was born in 1870 in Rocaromana in the state of Croseita, Italy. In 1889, the sheep and cattle on his family farm were decimated by disease and Albert emigrated to America. He landed in New York City and, two months later, moved to California where he worked as a laborer on the railroad for six months. Seeking to better his position, he returned to New York City where he learned to be a barber. A few months later, he moved to Griggsville and opened a barber shop. From there, he moved to Rochester, NY and in late 1891, to Watkins Glen where he opened a grocery store. In 1900 he married Laura Saragene from Palmali Province, Cketa. One historical reference says that he spoke English well and acted as an interpreter for other Italians here and may have participated in a type of "padrone" system, involving Italian laborers at the Lehigh Valley Railroad in Burdett. The padrone system was an "age-old system of work contract in the Medciterranean world." As the large, floating unskilled labor supply arrived, the padrone became a middle-man, the organizer. Sometimes a padrone would recruit workers from his home country with a promise to find employment for them at a wage which seemed most favorable by comparison to pay in the old country. The padrone would have a contract with an American employer. For acting as a lobor-broker, the padrone received commissions from both employer and the hired hands. The padrone ususally served, too, as the workers' banker, exchanging and sending money back to Italy, ususally for a fee. In short, the padrone, on the whole, provided valuable services to the Italian immigrants. He played a vital role in stinmulating and directing Italians to America. He was among the first to stir the masses and open their eyes to the tremendous opportunities awaiting them in America. By the late 1880's, such a camp existed in Burdett with Mr. Pecorara in charge of the commissary. Railroad laborers were forced to buy their supplies there as the next closest was five miles away. The Italians experienced prejudices and problems in their new home. One area concerned their relationship with the Irish immigrants who had come earlier. Father Thomas KcKenna, recognizing some of the newcomers' difficulties, helped them learn English and the data needed to pass the citizenship tests. An unexpected problem arose within St. Mary's Church which was then struggling financially. The priest indicated he would welcome the Italians if they could contribute needed funds but the Irish dominated congregation felt they had built the brick church with their donations and labor and that it should remain theirs. When the church was extensively renovated in the 1920's, with the generous assistance both in cash and labor from the Italians, the rivalry began to diminish, according to many interviews with local families involved. Miss Prosperi's thesis states: "The economic assimilation of the Italians into Watkins Glen was a slow process. Starting at the bottom of the economic scale, they, through hard work and scrupulous savings, gradually ascended the economic ladder. In general, Italian immigrants were able to save more money than any other ethnic group. The inherited work ethic led to the slow but steady improvement." The Italian parents "pushed" their children to do well in school and become "Americanized."