Social Events

Spaghetti Dinner

Spaghetti Dinners are held on the second Sunday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Social Hall. They run September through April. Our dinners are staffed by volunteers from the parish and members of the Youth Ministry. Dinner includes spaghetti, meatballs, salad, rolls & butter, cake and coffee.

The Vestibule Club sponsors two Breakfasts each year, in October and April. The breakfasts are held in the Social Hall and are open to the public. Tickets are available on a pre-sale basis from any vestibule club member or in church after Masses. The breakfast menu includes scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, biscuits, and coffee.

The Vestibule Club sponsors a Steak Fry once a year in September. Dinner includes strip steak, potatoes, vegetable, salad, garlic bread, cake, and coffee. Beverages are available. Musical entertainment is provided.

The Vestibule Club also sponsors a Dinner and Dance Social once a year in February, which includes a buffet dinner, and a band for your listening and dancing pleasure throughout the evening. The social is open to parishioners and to the public. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

The Vestibule Club sponsors an annual Treasure Chest & Reverse Raffle. The committee sells Reverse Raffle books for the impressive sit-down dinner and musical entertainment.

Information on all social events at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish can be obtained by calling the Parish Office or Mr. Frank Frattaroli at: (330) 755-2306.

Our Lady of Carmel Italian Festival

According to Festival Chairman Tony Trolio a record crowd of over 12,000 attended last year’s eighth annual Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Festival. The Fest is held every year during the 4th week of July on the Parish grounds. Billed as Youngstown’s biggest Italian festival, headline acts for this year's festival were: Don Felice from New York City, Tony Ieluzzi from Canada, Franco Corso from Florida, as well as Cleveland’s Oro Puro, the hottest Italian Show Band in the tri-state area, along with 14 outstanding area bands.

Six area parking lots, Choffin Career Center, Levinson Tire, Advantage Vinyl, P& L Heating, the IBM Building, as well as St. Cyril’s and Mt. Carmel’s were filled most the time. Plans call for utilizing some of YSU’S lots in Smoky Hollow for next year, says Trolio.

Festival Highlights:

• MDA Tent which raised over $ 800.00 for MDA
• Homemade Wine Contest, held Saturday 23rd.
• Morra Tournament Sunday 24th
• WYTV’s Academic Challenge, hosted by Stan Boney was held for first time on the road.
• 2 Round trip airline tickets to anyplace in the USA , courtesy of Traci Innocent of Pan Atlas Travel Agency was won by Diana Carrabia
• Italian Auction Drawing held Sunday 24th raised nearly $4,500.00
• New Kiddieland...featuring games, pony and train rides, giant bounce-a-round
• 2 stages with continuous entertainment
• Historical section
• Free Parking and Shuttle service
• Air-conditioned social hall

Those attending the festival were greeted by a 40’ high Italian Chef balloon mounted on the roof top. The chef lit up at night and was visible for miles.

This year’s net proceeds from the festival will be over $30,000.00, which will be presented to Monsignor Michael Cariglio at the Committee’s Appreciation Dinner, Each year’s proceeds are used to assist in the preservation and maintenance of the very historic Our Lady of Mt. Carmel church. To date the festival has raised over $ 147,000.00 in its eight short years.

Asked why the fest has become so popular, Trolio, who attends seven other festivals each year states "Simple. We keep it 100% Italian! We give the people what we advertise... a true Italian festival, from the food, to the entertainment down to the imported Peroni Italian beer and the home made wine.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel again gave back to the community, in the form of two YSU $1000.00 scholarships, which were awarded to Carla DeToro and Lindsey Hardie at the Festival Kick-Off Breakfast. WYTV 33’s Bob Hannon served as master of Ceremonies and Youngstown State’s Tom Morella was the Keynote speaker. WYTV and YSU personalities as well as other valley dignitaries were in attendance.

Questions regarding the Festival can be directed to Tony Trolio: 330-757-2779.