HAMMONTON – On the opening day of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival, Marilyn Grimes walked the carnival grounds with her husband, Joseph. For Marilyn, the joyous atmosphere and iconic Ferris Wheel were familiar territory.
“I’ve been coming here for over 30 years,” she said, explaining that though her family moved around the United States during her childhood, her father, a Hammonton native, always made sure they returned for the summer festival.
The couple, now living in Sicklerville, were planning on continuing her family tradition by bringing their two year-old son, Joseph, to the festival the next day.
From July 15-20, those of all generations took in the sights and sounds of the 146th Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival. As the longest-running Italian festival in the nation, its organizers, the local Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society, were happy to return to the crowded scene. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year’s event was limited to food vendors and those taking part in a procession with a statue of the Blessed Mother.
Faithful packed Hammonton’s streets July 16 to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Hundreds processed outside Saint Joseph Church (Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish) to honor the Blessed Mother, including Diocese of Camden seminarians Stephen Robbins and Logan Nilsen; Deacon Michael Kubiak of Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Sicklerville, and Father David Rivera, pastor of the Hammonton parish. (Dave Hernandez)
On July 16, the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Masses in Italian and English took place in nearby Saint Joseph Church. Faithful from the community and beyond once again accompanied the Blessed Mother statue through the streets of Hammonton. Among them were Father David Rivera, pastor of the town’s Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish, other clergy and seminarians for the Diocese of Camden.
The festival’s origins date back to 1875 at the home of Italian immigrant Antonio Capelli, 232 Pine Road, where he and others prayed in front of an image of the Blessed Mother, thanking her for safe passage to America and for a successful harvest season.
In later years, Saint Joseph Church, the first Catholic church in Hammonton (now a part of Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish), became an integral part of the festival.
“The Blessed Mother is what this is all about,” said Frank Italiano, vice president of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society. “This festival is a way for people to practice their faith.”
For Italiano, the summer tradition is a family affair. His son, Frank Jr., 15, and cousin, Lou “Butch” Pantalone Sr., 79, were just two of the many volunteers for the six-day event.
“It’s a big part of my summer. I’ve been coming here for as long as I can remember,” Frank Jr. said, taking a break from wiping down picnic tables.
Pantalone, fresh off the pork and sausage grill and wearing a grease-stained apron, shared his family history.
“My father, Louis, came to Hammonton from Italy in 1920,” he said. “He was a stonemason and helped build the current Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society Hall,” he added, pointing to the structure behind the grill and next to the live music stage.
“I’ve been a part of this my whole life. My late brother, Carmine, was a member of the society, and now my two sons, Louis Jr., and David, are,” he said.
Another cousin, Larry Longo, 77, has not missed the Hammonton tradition in 60 years, despite being drafted in the Vietnam War. “No matter where I was, the Blessed Mother has made sure I was back here [for the procession].”
His great-grandfather, Charles Vuotto, was part of the first group of immigrants in 1875 who prayed before a statue of Mary.
The Leudeckers – father Russell, wife Kirsten, sons James and Everett, and daughter Avalon – traveled from Berkeley Heights for their first visit to Hammonton. The family is familiar with their hometown’s annual Our Lady of Mount Carmel celebration, and wanted to see if South Jersey’s was just as good.
“The food’s great; we’re gonna try the rides,” Russell Leudecker said.
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