What holds a community together over several generations? For the parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, it’s tradition. The church will hold its annual Festa today through Sunday. Community members will gather at the parish grounds on Pleasant Street over three nights, celebrating with Italian food, live music and family fun.

Marlene Mauriello, one of three co-chairs overseeing the event, said the tradition means a great deal to the parish community. “We call [the Festa] the heart of Mount Carmel because it’s been done for so many years, and we’re just so dedicated to it,” Mauriello said. “It’s amazing, even people who are older and can’t do as much as they did in the past still come here and spend hours and hours preparing.”