Mangia, Ragazzi!

The problem with eating a home-cooked Italian dinner is that three days later you’re hungry again. Fortunately, Enfield knows how to throw a four-day party. From Thursday to Sunday, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel hosts its 91st annual Italian Festival for family, friends, and anyone who wants to check out the “world’s largest collection of Dean Martin memorabilia” (that’s on Friday and Saturday night). But this festa isn’t just for Rat Pack pack rats. Stop by for carnival rides, a candlelight procession at dusk on Thursday with refreshments and desserts, and sit-down dinners on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5 to 11 p.m. with live performances from Off the Cuff- linx, the Savage Brothers, Deana Martin, Tom Monte, comedian Mike Marino, actor Tony Lo Bianco, and Gregorio Malonte and Lisa Carter performing Sonny and Cher. Oh, and don’t forget the most cosmically crucial chapter of the ceremonies: 8:30 a.m. Sunday Mass in the chapel, followed by a procession through Enfield and Thompsonville. Your everlasting soul – and grandma – will thank you later.

 91st Annual Italian Festival: Thursday Aug. 4 to Saturday Aug. 7. $3; free for children 12 and under. Rain or shine. No pets, coolers, or outside food or beverages. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Society, 93 Park Ave., Enfield. (860) 745-8856, mtcarmelsociety.com.

 — Hunter Styles, hstyles@valleyadvocate.com