Italian Festival In Enfield Returning For 97th Year

ENFIELD, CT ? For the first time since 2019, residents of north-central Connecticut and western Massachusetts will soon be able to enjoy the full family-friendly festivities of the 97th annual Italian Festival, sponsored by the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society.

The feast is slated for August 5-7. Gates are open from 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 5-10 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is just $3, with children under 12 free.

The annual gathering of family and friends gives thanks to the Blessed Mother and celebrates the club's Italian heritage. It debuted in 1926, but for the past two years, the coronavirus pandemic limited activities to outdoor Mass on Sunday.

This year, the full-fledged feast returns with all the popular events of past years: outstanding live entertainment, the greased pole climb, rides and games and delicious homemade delicacies like pasta fagioli and fried dough.

"We're excited and happy, but a bit cautious about the first big feast since COVID," Society president Carl Sferrazza said. "The St. Bernard carnival and the 4th of July Town Celebration were very good, so we're hoping that continues."

Planning for the event began in January, and Society members began preparing the Park Avenue grounds Tuesday.

Some popular area acts will be taking the stage throughout the weekend. Johnny Sixgun and the Savage Brothers Band will perform Friday, while Night Moves and Trailer Trash are scheduled to play Saturday. Country sister duo Presley & Taylor returns for the third time to close the festival Sunday.

"We are very excited to have them back," Sferrazza said. "They are tremendously talented, beautiful and classy."

The festival does not officially open until Friday, but the previous evening will feature a traditional candlelight procession through neighboring streets, followed by refreshments. Carnival rides and games return, as does the Sunday evening greased pole climb competition. The customary Sunday morning Mass, spoken partly in Italian, will commence at 9 a.m.

More information may be found here.