Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica has set its annual Carnevale di Venezia, or Italian Mardi Gras, for 6 p.m. Friday at the church’s social hall, 343 Via Mt. Carmel, Youngstown. “The event promotes the support and study of Italian language and culture in the Mahoning Valley,” reads a news release. Festival-goers can enjoy Italian cuisine and “special Italian drinks.”

Entertainment includes a strolling accordionist, a stilt walker and live musicians the John Reese Trio. This year’s special guest is the Consul of Italy in Detroit, Paola Allegra Baistrocchi. She was born in Rome in 1980 and earned her political science degree from the University “LUISS” Guido Carli and a master’s degree in international relations from the Società Italiana per l’Organizzazione Internazionale.