Four-day Italian Festival set for Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady of Loreto Parish
The four-day Italian Festival, Aug. 10-13, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady of Loreto Parish, 33 Massasoit Road, Worcester, is not only a chance to sample some of the city’s best Italian food specialties, but also enjoy a variety of activities for the entire family.
The annual festival in past years has taken place three days, according to festival chairperson Elaine Beaudry. “This year, we added an extra day in the event of rain,” said Beaudry, who explained that the original Italian Festival dates as far back as the 1960s and traces roots to Mount Carmel Church on Mulberry Street in Worcester. The church was torn down in 2019.
Beaudry said the parish Catholic Youth Council for the first time will host special events for teens on Aug. 12. There will be a Wrecking Ball, Table Talk pie eating contest, Axe Throw, a Wipe Out Obstacle course and more, she said. There also will be a performance by the band Boombox: The '70s and '80s Experience.
Festival admission is $2 per person. Hours are from 5 to 10 p.m. Aug. 10; 5 to 11 p.m. Aug. 11; noon to 11 p.m. Aug. 12; noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 13. As in previous years, handicap parking is in the church lot, with additional on-street parking at Rice Square School.
After a two-year absence because of COVID-19, this popular neighborhood festival returned last August. “It was very successful and we received so many positive comments,” said Beaudry. “Of course, food is the biggest draw,” she said. This year, parishioners have made more than 13,000 Italian cookies to be sold at the event. “No matter how many we make, we always hope we don’t run out,” said Beaudry.
Worcester business participants include Pepe’s Italian Restaurant, Russo Italian Restaurant (two booths) and Boulevard Diner. Moe’s Sweet Eats in Shrewsbury will have its food truck parked on the church property. Beaudry said Boulevard Diner, “a strong festival supporter,” also will offer take-out as an option.
There will be seating for visitors under tent. The parish booths will sell sausage and pepper sandwiches, fried dough, Italian cookies, ice cream, hot dogs and hamburgers, soft drinks, beer and wine, etc.
The key to this successful festival is its volunteers, said Beaudry. Among the many volunteers working to set up and help with the logistics of the event are people from the neighborhood. Volunteers assist with multiple shifts, said Beaudry, and some choose to volunteer the entire weekend. “We couldn’t do it without the support of parishioners and our neighborhood friends,” she said.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Italian Festival returns with plenty of food and fun
