Tradition of making sawdust carpets continues in West Tarentum
Mike Werries | For the Tribune-Review
Members of the Huey and Dileo families (from left) Micailey Dileo, Joe Dileo, Kylie Dileo, Elizabeth Huey and Chrissy Huey work on the intricate design of a sawdust carpet Sunday at Holy Martyrs Roman Catholic Parish in West Tarentum. Elizabeth Huey drove from Florida to help with the carpets.
Mike Werries | For the Tribune-Review
Cailyn Huey, 4, shows off her T-shirt proclaiming her the sixth generation Sawdust Queen of the Huey family, which has a tradition of making sawdust carpets at Holy Martyrs Roman Catholic Parish in West Tarentum.
Mike Werries | For the Tribune-Review
Members of the Huey and Dileo families (from left) Micailey Dileo, Joe Dileo, Kylie Dileo, Elizabeth Huey and Chrissy Huey work on the intricate design of a sawdust carpet Sunday at Holy Martyrs Roman Catholic Parish in West Tarentum. Elizabeth Huey drove from Florida to help with the carpets.
Mike Werries | For the Tribune-Review
Cailyn Huey, 4, shows off her T-shirt proclaiming her the sixth generation Sawdust Queen of the Huey family, which has a tradition of making sawdust carpets at Holy Martyrs Roman Catholic Parish in West Tarentum.
The tradition of creating dyed sawdust carpets to celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi continued for the sixth year Sunday at Holy Martyrs Roman Catholic Parish in West Tarentum.
According to the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, the idea of sawdust carpets originated at a seminary in the Black Forest region of Germany. The tradition came to the Tarentum area in 1943, when the Rev. James MacNamara, assistant pastor of the former Sacred Heart Parish, suggested it as a good way to mark the feast.
Members of Holy Martyrs and neighboring parishes have created the colorful carpets annually for more than 70 years.
