After COVID-19 protocols shut down ‘The Original Italian Festival’ hosted by Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Out Lady of Loreto Parish for two years, the festival is coming back to Worcester Aug. 11 to 14.
“It’s a challenge because COVID is still around, we’re still dealing with volunteer availability and things of that nature,” festival chairperson Elaine Beaudry told MassLive Wednesday. “But, we’re managing and pulling things together.”
This year’s festival will be similar to the festivals the church has put on in the past, according to Beaudry, and festival-goers can expect, “plenty of good food and entertainment.”
Parishioners will be selling sausage, pepper and onion sandwiches, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, fried dough and Italian cookies, according to the festival’s website.
Pepe’s, Russo, Boulevard Diner, La Cucina, Moe’s Sweet Eats and Simply Cannoli will also have booths set up.
Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
The festivals entertainment line-up includes the Tony Soul Project on Thursday; Drive South on Friday; Alan D’Allasandro, Johnny Vincent and Dock 10 on Saturday and Joe Cariglia on Sunday.
Beaudry said the event is not just meant to be a fundraiser for the church, but is more for the community to get together.
“The mission of the original Italian Festival of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady of Loreto Parish is to bring both our parish community and neighbors together to share in our heritage and traditions,” the festival’s website says. “Through our united spirit, good food, and wonderful music, the festival provides the opportunity to share good times by making memories for not only our children, but memories for all ages.”
Admission to the festival is $2. There will also be a bouncy house for children that costs $10 per child.
The festival will run from 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday, noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Handicapped parking will be available on church property at 33 Massasoit Rd in Worcester.
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