Mt. Carmel Italian Fest Coming to Enfield For 94th Straight Year

ENFIELD, CT — In 1926, a group of Italian immigrants which had settled in the Thompsonville section of Enfield decided to share their native customs, forming the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society at 93 Park Avenue. This weekend, the 94th annual edition of the Society's Italian Fest promises three days of incredible food, outstanding entertainment and loads of fun for the entire family.

The weekend traditionally begins quietly on Thursday, when a candlelight procession through the surrounding neighborhood steps off at 8:30 p.m. The celebration kicks off officially at 5 p.m. Friday, with the opening of the food and refreshment booths, as well as carnival rides and games for all ages. Two popular local bands will perform Friday: Johnny Sixgun from 7:30-9 p.m., and the Savage Brothers Band from 9-11 p.m.

Presley & Taylor, a duo of sisters from Nashville dubbed "the next generation of country music," performs on stage Saturday from 9-11 p.m. Opening that show at 7:30 p.m. will be regional contemporary country cover band Southern Voice.

Sunday's highlights include the traditional morning Mass, spoken partially in Italian, at 9 a.m., and the greased pole climb, in which teams of five attempt to scale an extremely slippery 25-foot pole to retrieve cash at the top, at 6:30 p.m. Live music begins at 7:30 p.m. by Jenna Esposito, best known for her Connie Francis tribute (which has drawn praise from the legendary singer herself) and her selections from "The Great Italian-American Songbook."

As always, the essence of the Italian Fest is the food, prepared by members of the Society. From pasta fagioli and sausage grinders to homemade pizza and meatballs, "La Festa" satisfies anyone's culinary taste.

Festival hours are Friday and Saturday, 5-11 p.m., and Sunday, 5-10 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children 12 and under.

Find out more at www.mtcarmelsociety.com.

(File photo credits: Tim Jensen/Patch Media Corp.)