JESSUP -- You know it's time for the St. Ubaldo Festival when you find yourself being serenaded by a handful of Italians who made the trip to Lackawanna County from Gubbio, Italy.
"It's something special for us. This is the same festival we have in Gubbio, but different, completely different," said Marco Taccetti of Gubbio, Italy.
The annual festival in Jessup features the race of the saints. Hundreds of people sprint through the streets celebrating St. Ubaldo, St. George, and St. Anthony--all said to have saved the city of Gubbio during the crusades.
Many immigrants from Gubbio settled in Jessup, but on this weekend the population of the small borough quadruples in size.
"This connection is increasing year by year, this connection between Gubbio and Jessup," said Taccetti.
The streets are painted the colors of the three saints. The family of St. Ubaldo wears yellow, St. George in blue, and St. Anthony in black.
It's a chance for people to honor their roots, whether it's year after year or for the very first time.
"Usually I end up working every year, so I got this year off so here I am to enjoy it," said Donna Gaffney of Scranton.
As is tradition, St. Ubaldo crosses the finish line first.
The celebration doesn't end there. Festivities continue Sunday as well.