Carmelite Fair promises entertainment, fun and food

Intermountain Catholic

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The OPA Greek dancers have performed for many years at the Carmelite Fair. IC file photo 

HOLLADAY — Plans are in the works for the upcoming Carmelite Fair at the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Monastery Sept. 16.

"From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to say thank you and may God bless all the volunteers who have helped organize the fair," said Carmelite Sister Therese Bui, adding that, since the monastery’s extern sister, Sister Mary Joseph Whipperman, died in 2010, the cloistered sisters have had to learn more about how the fair is run. Sr. Mary Joseph chaired the organization of the fair since its beginning.

Without the volunteers there would be no fair, and we try to support them through our prayers," Sr. Therese said. "The Carmelite Fair is our main source of income for the year and it is amazing how much the expenses are to cover the monastery throughout the year. The more we know that we need the fair financially, the more we are grateful to all of those who make the fair a success."

It takes about 300 volunteers to run the fair; about 3,000 to 4,000 people attend each year, said Kathleen Blodgett, the event’s advertising co-chair.

"The sisters have a hotline to heaven and pray for so many people," said Blodgett. "They bring us all together and they mean a great deal to everybody. They also stand over a hot stove in their kitchen making jams, jellies and candy and every stir they make is with a prayer. They don’t have air conditioning in the monastery because they use that as a sacrifice for others in the world who live without air conditioning. The sisters also help by sending out letters to donors."

The fair is still in need of live and silent auction items as well as items for the Gift Consignment booth, said Blodgett. "The committee is putting themed baskets together and is in need of free horseback riding lessons, cowgirl and cowboy boots, a hot-air balloon basket, overnight stays at resorts or anything that might bring in high bids for the sisters."

The fair will also include the third annual "Run for the Nuns," which began in honor of Sr. Mary Joseph.

"I think we can double the number of runners this year," said Glenda Saade, Run for the Nuns coordinator. As with the inaugural run, "this year everyone who participates will receive a T-shirt," she said. "The T-shirts were donated by a couple who saw a note in last year’s packet that read ‘due to low funds, we were unable to provide T-shirts.’"

Entertainment including the OPA Greek Dancers, Basque Dancers and Utah Pipe Band will be a part of the fair, said Rich Laniewski, entertainment chair. "These three entertainers have been our main stay for many years."

The Utah Pipe Band started performing for the Carmelite Fair about 25 years ago, said Virginia Barclay of the Utah Pipe Band. "The Pipe Band likes to perform for community service-oriented functions and the Pipe Band was a favorite of Sr. Mary Joseph’s. She had such a love for the music and we appreciate being invited."

Sharing Greek dances with the community through festival performances is an important aspect and a connection to our ancestors, said Cyndia Cayias, Greek Orthodox Church dance instructor. "We dance because we love life and we want to support other ethnic and religious groups. The dances began as stories celebrating different aspects of life; music was added and then the dance steps were created."

There also will be a drawing for a 2012 Kia that the Knights of Columbus have been showing at parishes throughout the diocese, said Lou Bertram, Carmelite Fair chairman. "Ticket sales have exceeded expectations," he said. "The overall atmosphere is one that everyone is looking forward to."

The Carmelite Fair will be held Sept. 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Carmelite Monastery, 5714 Holladay Blvd., Holladay. The fair is free. The "Run for Nuns" will begin at 10 a.m. and is $25 in advance and $40 the day of the race. Register online at active.com. For information, call 801-675-8593 or email RunForTheNuns@gmail.com.