The faithful and others just wanting to attend a neighborhood event flocked to Niles by the thousands for the annual Sicilian Catholic festival held continually in the Chicago-area since 1900, with roots dating to the early 1600s.

The event had typical street festival attractions, carnival rides, food, beer and live entertainment on three of its four days over Labor Day weekend (Sept. 1-4). Saturday’s event was hampered by evening rains. Sunday, however, saw a strong turnout, devoted to religious traditions taken straight from the old country of Sicily.