St Ubaldo Day: A Tradition Rooted in Faith, Carried by Community
By: Justin Bradley | Sportzwire | May 25, 2025 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus Photography
St. Ubaldo Day: The Heartbeat of Jessup
Every Memorial Day weekend, Jessup, Pennsylvania throws down in a way no other small town can—faith, firetrucks, and fierce tradition collide in one of the most unique celebrations in the country: St. Ubaldo Day.
This isn’t your average block party. It’s a high-octane blend of history, heart, and hometown pride where towering wooden structures are raced through packed streets by teams clad in red, blue, or black—and everyone’s got a side.
Born in Gubbio, Raised in Jessup
It all started nearly 900 years ago in Gubbio, Italy. Locals honored Saint Ubaldo, the city’s patron protector, by hoisting massive wooden pillars (ceri) topped with statues through narrow streets in a sprint of faith, strength, and loyalty. When Italian immigrants settled in Jessup, they brought this cultural cornerstone with them—and the borough’s been keeping it alive ever since.
Jessup remains one of the only places outside of Italy where La Corsa dei Ceri is celebrated. And they don’t just celebrate it—they live it.
The Teams: Yellow, Blue, or Black—Choose Wisely
You’re either born into your team, recruited by your crew, or pulled in by the interest.
Yellow for Saint Ubaldo—the namesake, the protector.
Blue for Saint Giorgio—the warrior.
Black for Saint Antonio—the patron of the people.
Once you pick, you're locked in. No switching sides. No sitting out. It’s like choosing your lifelong football team—only this one carries a 400 lb wooden tower through crowds, up hills, and into your soul.
It’s not about who crosses the line first. It's about heart. The kind that pumps through generations. The kind that doesn't care how fast you run, just how deep you care.
More Than a Race—It’s a Movement
But St. Ubaldo Day isn’t a stand-alone act. It runs side-by-side with one of the biggest feel-good weeks of the year—the Jessup Hose Company’s Fireman’s Parade and Carnival. We’re talking flashing lights, carnival rides, sausage sandwiches, funnel cakes, and fire engines lined up like royalty. It's the perfect warm-up and backdrop for a tradition that doesn’t just bring people together—it binds them.
There’s a beauty in how all of this unfolds: the old-school faith, the fresh energy, the tear-filled eyes of parents watching their kids carry on something sacred. Everyone’s got a story tied to this weekend—and every one of them is rooted in love for their team, their town, and the people around them.
The Soul of a Small Town
In Jessup, St. Ubaldo Day isn’t just about religion or legacy—it’s about belonging. It’s where high-fives and hugs replace competition. Where saints are cheered like sports heroes. Where you’ll see toddlers in team shirts and great-grandparents misty-eyed on porches. It's not just a tradition—it’s a heartbeat.
It’s wild. It’s emotional. It’s loud.
But above all else—it’s genuine.
And every year, Jessup reminds the world what it looks like when a town refuses to let its roots fade.
This is St. Ubaldo Day. And in Jessup, PA—it means everything.
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