Long-celebrated Italian fest, Maria Santissima Lauretana, set for Aug. 30-Sept. 1 in Niles

Once again, for the 124th year, two little girls will be hoisted overhead via ropes and pulleys for the “Flight of the Angels,” a group of devoted men will carry a statue of a vintage Italian madonna statue down a path, Italian sausage sandwiches will be served, and crooners, opera singers and rock bands will take the stage at the Maria Santissima Lauretana festival in Niles this weekend.

Italian immigrants originated the festival as a religious celebration — with joyful secular elements of food, merriment and music — more than a century ago, decades before most Americans had heard of pizza and pasta.

The flight of the angels is a tradition in which two little girls, dressed as angels, are carefully strapped into harnesses and then climb up about 10 feet to a platform, where via pulleys and ropes, they “fly” above the madonna statue, reciting prayers in the excellent Sicilian of their ancestors. It’s an example of an immigrant tradition persevering through the decades, thanks to the nurturing of an ethnic and religious organization called the Maria Santissima Lauretana society.

Admission is free to the festival at Golf Mill Park, Greenwood Avenue and Church Street, Niles. Free parking is available in the Golf Mill Shopping Center lot, and the area south of JCPenney provides the closest parking. The fest is handicapped accessible.

The schedule includes:

Friday, Aug. 30

5:30 p.m. – Entertainment: Tony Spavone, Italian singer
7 p.m. – Final Novena at Shrine Tent
9 p.m. – Entertainment: Pino Farina band, adult alternative rock

Saturday, Aug. 31

1:00 p.m. – Entertainment: School of Rock
4:00 p.m. – Entertainment: Mario DeLaurenti, Italian American hits
6:00 p.m. – Jessie’s Girl Chicago, top hits of the 80s
7:00 p.m. – Carro & Torch Parade
9:00 p.m. – Infinity, 70s, 80s, 90s Classic Rock

Sunday, Sept. 1

9:00 a.m. – Candlelight Procession
10:00 a.m. – Mass of the Feast of Maria SS. Lauretana celebrated by Fr Stan Czarnecki, S.J.
1 p.m. – Entertainment: Joe DeLuca’s Accordion Extravaganza
2 p.m. – Entertainment: Gabriella Rago, nostalgic classics and show tunes
3 p.m. – Procession of the Blessed Mother
4:30 p.m. – Entertainment: Benjamin De Los Monteros, opera tenor
5 p.m. – First Flight of the Angels
6 p.m. – Entertainment: Mia Rago, opera soprano
7 p.m. – Entertainment: John Anthony, Italian American classics
8 p.m.– Second Flight of the Angels
9 p.m.–Fireworks display