Maria SS. Lauretana Festival Returns To Niles Labor Day Weekend

Aug 21, 2017 1689

BY: Tom Robb

A centuries-old Catholic festival set to take place in Niles over Labor Day weekend has roots to the 1600s in Sicily and dates back 117 years to the Chicago area. The 117th annual Feast of Maria SS. Lauretana of Altavilla Milicia in Chicago will take place Friday, Sept. 1 to Monday, Sept. 4 on Church Street between the Golf Mill Shopping Center and Golf Mill Park.

Between 15,000-to-20,000 people attended the four-day event last year, according to Deputy Niles Police Chief Vince Genualdi. Religious highlights of the festival include the Procession of the Vera, the Flight of the Angels and the pulling of a large ship. The festival also includes secular entertainment, a fireworks display, carnival rides, food, vendors and a beer tent.

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SOURCE: http://www.journal-topics.com

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