For Immediate Release

Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, July 14 through 18

in the Heart of Little Italy in the Bronx

“Little Italy” along Arthur Avenue and East 187^th St. in the Bronx will hold one of the few remaining true “neighborhood” feasts to be found in New York City.  From Wednesday, July 14th through Sunday July 18^th.   The Bronx neighborhood of Belmont continues the nearly 100 year tradition of honoring Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the patron Saint of this parish. Feast hours are: Wednesday to Friday (6:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.) and Saturday and Sunday (4:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M).  Food, games, children’s rides, raffles and prizes, and free nightly concerts featuring  New York native bands will contribute to the atmosphere redolent of the 1950s and 1960s when families, strolled  under twinkling lights on hot summer nights and with beach chairs in tow or danced till midnight in the streets.   The hospitality is Italian, the revelers, Italian or not, are attracted by the unique old-world charm  this feast continues to inspire.

Sponsored by the Church of Our Lady of Mt.  Carmel, the celebration includes a traditional procession with the Statue of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on Sunday, July 18^th from 5:30 P.M. until 8:30 P.M. followed by benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.  Adding to the authenticity of this annual event, will be a novena, held in conjunction with the feast, preached by Fr. Antonio Barruffo from Italy.

For those interested in taking a chance for a cause, there is also a limited ticket raffle for $25,000 or a Cadillac CTS (courtesy of Gidron Cadillac, Yonkers, N.Y.) or $5,000 or a $2,500 Third Prize . Proceeds will benefit the Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, it’s Parish school and community programs,  The raffle drawing will be held on the last day of the feast, Sunday, July 18^th.

 This weeks free Italian, American and Bronx Do-Wop concerts follow a very popular eight day series held in June in conjunction with the Feast of St. Anthony.   Wednesday features the Italian American sounds of the  Carozza Brothers Band. On Thursday night the neighborhood will dance and rock to the Caleps. Friday is oldies night with Playground and their Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons review.  Saturday, the bandstand is taken over by guest host, and Emmy Award winning actor Michael Badalucco while Don Felice and the New York Music Production provide music.   Sunday concludes the concert series with the vivacious Twin Gold and Butch Barbella and the Streets of the Bronx Band. Caribbeat, a young and very exciting Steel Drum Orchestra and an amazing and truly authentic Mariachi Band are also scheduled to perform courtesy of a generous donation from The New York Daily News.  Updates on concert performers and schedules can be found at www.BelmontFeasts.com. 

Rides, games and concerts have been generously supported by The New York Daily News, Coca Cola, Hormel, Gidron Cadillac, Citterio, Polly-O, and San Daniele as well as Belmont's sponsoring merchants:  Arthur Avenue Café, Arthur Avenue Caterers, Arthur Avenue Market, Addeo's Bread Bakery, Ann & Tony's Restaurant, Artuso's Bakery, Biancardi Meats, Boiano Brothers Produce, Borgatti Pasta, Cerini's Gifts, Cosenza's Fish Market, Danny's Cigars.   Also participating in this year's festival are Egidio's Pastry Shop, Gian Tina's Restaurant, Giovanni's Restaurant, Gino's Pastry Shop, Graphics, Etc., Joe's Deli, La Casa Grande Cigar Company, La Galleria, Mike's Deli, Mario's Restaurant, Peter's Meat Market, Mt. Carmel Pharmacy, Trattoria Tra di Noi,  and the Terranova Bakery.

Contacts:   Mt. Carmel Rectory at (718) 295-3770.

Zella Jones, Market by Market Communications,
917-686-8385

Public Affairs Calendar Listing, July 2004

Italian American Festival Listings

  June 10th Announcement, July 1 Announcement