If you’ve never experienced the lifting of the ornate, 70-foot tower as it’s carried through the streets of Williamsburg, it is truly a sight to behold. Plus, everybody is welcome. Even hipsters:
A century-old religious festival in Williamsburg wants the skinny-jean set to join in the celebration. Organizers of the Giglio Italian Feast at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Williamsburg say that everyone is welcome to join festivities, which last July 6–17, and that even the most recent arrivals to the neighborhood can join the dancing and singing crowds.
“Williamsburg is a hipster neighborhood — lots of people go. You do have Italian Catholics, but you have those people who are new who might not have grew up in neighborhood — and they’re curious,” said Carolyn Stone, a spokeswoman for the festival. “Everyone will be able to enjoy even if they’re not part of the heritage or history.”
The annual feast, now in its 113th year in Brooklyn, celebrates the story of San Paulino, a kidnapped bishop. The 12-day festival is most famous for its 70-foot tower, which is carried by a 125-man platoon while a brass band plays music (sometimes including the theme song to the film “Rocky”).
Around 50,000 people come out each year to see the tower dance through the streets and attend the festival, which is filled with games, rides, and traditional Italian food booths.
Lift times below and more information at olmcfeast.com:
July 10th 2016 2pm | GIGLIO SUNDAY
July 13th 8pm | Giglio Night Lift
July 17th 2pm | Old Timer’s Day Giglio Lift
PLEASE CORRECT TO: “… who might not have GROWN up in neighborhood…”
NOT “…have GREW up…” I did not say, “have Grew up…”
THANK YOU!
You do have Italian Catholics, but you have those people who are new who might not have grew up in neighborhood — and they’re curious,” said Carolyn Stone, a spokeswoman for the festival.