Italian Feast this weekend in Des Plaines
Live music, Italian food and a traditional horse parade are among the highlights of the 23rd annual Italian Feast of SS. Crocifisso this weekend on the grounds of Maryville Academy in Des Plaines. Kicking off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with Vespers at Marian Chapel, the event runs Saturday night and Sunday at 1150 N. River Road, Des Plaines.
Sunday's events begin with an Italian Mass at 12:30 p.m. celebrated by the Revs. John Belmonte, John Smyth and Esquivel Sanchez. After Mass, the traditional procession of the cross takes place, accompanied by the Sicilian Band of Chicago, a horse parade, live music, entertainment and food. Fireworks will close out the festival.
The festival is hosted by Soecieta SS. Crocifisso, Chicago-area residents whose families emigrated from Ciminna, a small town outside Palermo, Sicily, where it has been celebrated since 1651. This year, another society, San Giovanni Bosco, has joined in to make a bigger feast.
For information, visit chicagociminna.org or call (847) 577-8230.