Mama Mia, what a weekend it was in downtown Farmington last Saturday as we celebrated Italian American Day under Mediterranean blue skies, a market full of sunflowers and the "close your eyes" feeling of being in an old-world European marketplace.

People came to market early, ushering in with them, the early morning warmth of a rising sun. There was a great sense of togetherness. The market bell rang as Father Chris from St. Gerald’s blessed the market, lofting holy water on a supremely serene Saturday, with an air of silent solemnity, his right arm fully extended straight up above the shoulder as he cast blessings to all.