Dun, I have to say your post saddens me so much. As a young girl, I spent the whole of Fiesta weekend at my Grandparents house down the fort. I marched in the procession for years. first as a young girl in my white dress, later dressed as one of the Saints, and as I got older, marched with the St. Ann's Color guard. We were allowed to roam around the Fiesta and check back in at Grandma's every hour or so. Back then, Fiesta was a safe and fun place to be and everyone knew each other respected each other, and watched out for each other's kids.

I disagree that St. Peter's Fiesta should be moved to Stage Fort Park solely for the reason that it all started at the Fort, where the people who brought the tradition with them from Sicily lived. They came to a new country to go fishing for their living, learned how to speak English, most became naturalized citizens and worked hard for a better life. They continued the tradition in their new country of having an annual festival to pray to St. Peter for the safe return of their fishing fleet Mostly then it was the Novena and the procession, along with eating a lot at each other's homes. They did it all in the confines of the Fort where they lived and to even think about moving the Fiesta to another place is unthinkable IMO. It's tradition.

Unfortunately the Fiesta has gotten to be well known throughout the State and even the country and people come from all over to attend. With that comes some people who do not have respect for what Fiesta is supposed to be all about. They see it as one big block party with a good excuse to get drunk. It's very hard for me to believe that is the Gloucester born children and grandchildren who were raised in this town that would bring a knife to the Fiesta and want to start fights or hurt people. The real locals would not do something like that. (I know, I sound naive) but I really believe that those who love and respect Gloucester wouldn't behave that way during Fiesta. This type of behavior is brought in with those who come here from cities/towns where it is the norm.
They could possibly even live here now, but grew up in areas that much more urban than here and have a different outlook on things.

I have not been to the Fiesta in the last few years and in a way I'm glad. I think of going every year, just to be able to see some old friends, to give a hug, a kiss to someone I have not seen in awhile and enjoy the music and get the "Fiesta feeling". Then I think of how rowdy and pushy people have become and the thoughts of dealing with that type of behavior makes me change my mind and I don't go. Again, that makes me sad.

I guess I'll just keep my fond memories of all the wonderful St. Peter's Fiestas that I enjoyed from the day I was born until I stopped going. That will keep it alive in my mind and in my heart. And those memories will always be of it being at the Fort, where it belongs. Viva San Piedro!