East Harlem Gigolo Giglio

As my comical neighbor Carolyn has informed me, the Giglio* di Sant' Antonio Feast is happening now, in my neighborhood! (I, however, am in Memphis). From the website:

The Giglio Society of East Harlem is a group of men who have dedicated their lives to honor Sant' Anntonio, their beloved saint. Their love and devotion is on display each year during the annual Italian Festival held in East Harlem, New York....

For those unfamilar with the Giglio (pronounced JEEL-YO) - it is a 75 to 85 foot tall wooden structure with a papier-mâché face adorned with beloved saints and colorful flowers. Giglios are built in honor of a town's patron saint and carried on the shoulders of approximately 120 men in a ritual that dates back to 409 AD in the town of Nola, Italy.

It is my new goal in life to be adorned with colorful flowers and carried on the shoulders of approximately 120 Italian men as an expression of their love and devotion.

* Wasn't that a horrible movie with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez?