La Madonna del Carmine goes home

On the day of July 17th in the town of Mesagne you can feel the energy and excitement when passing the townspeople on the street. The last night of the festival has arrived and everyone is sure to make the most of this day. Children beg their parents for more money to spend away on the carnival rides and at the caramelle vendors. Teenage boys and girls relish in the fact that they have one more night to stay out way past normal curfew. And everyone else is looking to score some major deals with the vendors on their last night in town.

The four of us, my mom, Anthony, Sofia and I, head to the villa to make a few rounds at the stands before making our way to La Chiesa del Carmine to wait for the procession. Antonio has already left our group to join his friends at the carnival rides and had a curfew much later than I ever did when I was in high school. We stand around with neighbors, friends and family and talk about the past 3 days and the fun that was had by all. As the marching band approaches the church, everyone scampers around for the perfect spot to view Madonna and child passing by as they head back home. Fireworks start going off around the church and once the noise settles a bit, the Mayor stands and officially welcomes mother and child to their home and closes the festival for this year. July 15, 2009 may seem a ways from now, but the memories of this beautiful festival will stay with us and allow us to look forward to making new ones.


Nonna Lisa and Sofia awaiting the arrival of the Madonna


Family picture outside Bar Carmine waiting for the procession to arrive - 3rd carnival for Anthony and 2nd for Sofia!!


Madonna and child head home to La Chiesa del Carmine


Celena and I


Lots of fun on the last night of the festa