Saving and Sustaining a 130+ Year Old Tradition
For more than 130 years, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel has been one of North Denver’s most important Italian traditions.
Every summer, generations of families gathered for “the Feast,” a celebration centered on the Mass and procession honoring Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Long before gambling and food booths became the main attraction, this was the heart of the tradition.
But in the 2010s, the Feast nearly disappeared. As participation declined and focus shifted to fundraising, some of the traditions that once made the day feel unmistakably Italian faded away. Despite surviving COVID, it was clear to me that the religious part of the feast (that is, the most important part) would not continue much longer. And, if that went away, any remnant of Italian North Denver would too. It was time for the community to ask, If we say preserving Italian culture matters, are we willing to actually preserve it?
The only way to bring the Feast back was by returning to tradition. That meant restoring the elements that made the celebration feel special and distinctly Italian:
A live marching band accompanying the procession
Specially commissioned Italian feast music
The return of the torsello
An expanded procession route through the neighborhood
Greater community participation
In 2024, all these elements were restored and the turnout was unbelievable. While young people experienced the procession in all its glory for the first time, longtime attendees said it felt like the Feast they remembered. Unfortunately, restoring tradition isn’t free.
Expenses were 2024 were $10,622.30 and $10,215.97 in 2025. Over half paid for the band. Back in the day, an Italian feast band existed and would have charged maybe $1.5K. Sadly, we no longer have any feast bands in Denver and the music requires (at least) a 15 piece marching band. Unless someone revives the Italian feast band, this expense will not change. Other costs include materials used to make the torsello, photography/videography, American & Italian flags, flowers, etc. These are all essential to making this event worthy of its 130+ year legacy.
When I approached the Bazaar Committee to take this over, I promised that the church would not have to pay a cent for anything. Everything associated with the Mass & Procession since then has been paid for out of my pocket and with donations by individuals and organizations. Since 2024, people and organizations have donated a grand total of $3,933, which helped immensely.
Donations are collected through Little Italy of Denver’s designated account specifically for Feast-related expenses. Any funds remaining after expenses will be used for the following year. To date, there have not been any remaining funds.
Of course, supporting the Feast isn’t only about money. The most important thing you can do is show up. Come to Mass, walk in the procession, bring your family, invite someone who has never experienced it before. If we want Italian culture to survive in this church, this neighborhood, and our families, traditions like this cannot exist only in memories or old photographs. They have to be lived and lived properly.
Join Us
132nd Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
3549 Navajo St.
Denver, CO 80211
Mass in Italian & English begins at 2:00 PM
Procession immediately to follow
Afterward, join us at the 95th Annual Bazaar beginning at 4:00 PM for food and games.
Support the Feast
If you would like to contribute toward keeping this tradition alive, please click the link below:
If you’ve already donated: thank you. Your generosity is helping ensure this tradition doesn’t just survive, but will continues for generations to come.