Patronal festivity of St. Rocco, in Petacciato, is celebrated on August 16th. For some years, in addition to Holy Mass and procession where the statue of Saint is brought along the central streets of the village, a group of women set up a creative composition with flowers.
Rocco from Montpellier was born around the middle of 1300, he was a great devotee of St. Francesco from Assisi. He arrived in Italy during the plague and he took care of the sick people and for this reason he was acclaimed protector of the plagues. In Petacciato, the legend tells that St. Rocco appeared in a dream to two young men who were 33 years old. In dream the Saint told them to go into the red sand quarry. The young men, at first scared, listened the Saint and they dug in the indicated point, but they nothing found. In mysterious circumstances, young people died soon after.
During the celebration day, residents and tourists crowd the streets of the center for one of the important event of Petacciato summer. Among sweet stands and other treats, music and shows, people wait the fireworks at the end of festivity.