Hundreds Follow Statue of St. Ann Through Streets of Hoboken

To the sound of a marching band, and followed by hundreds of Hobokenites, the sisters of the guild of St. Ann carried a 600 pound statue through the streets of Hoboken on Tuesday afternoon, during a 4-hour procession.

With sweat forming on foreheads, the women—all dressed in white, wearing a sash to signal they're part of the guild—heald the statue up high and didn't complain about the weight, or the heat.

"It's a pleasure and an honor to be among these ladies," said Debra Latino. Recently inducted into the sisterhood, this was her first year carrying the statue. "It's an honor."

Tiffany Hodson also walked with the procession for the first time.

Being part of the guild, Hodson said, "is one of my greatest blessings." She said she especially enjoyed making the famous zeppoles. Hodson said she learned how to throw the dough for the zeppoles—made by the sisters of St. Ann following a secret recipe—into the boiling hot oil.

The procession followed the annual mass at 11 a.m. at the Church of St. Ann. Many notables attended, including former mayors David Roberts, Pat Pasculi, Anthony Russo and Steve Capiello. Freeholder Anthony Romano and Sherrif Frank Schillari also attended.

The festival closes at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, following a .