Carmelite Fair continues in memory of Sister Mary Joseph Whipperman

Intermountain Catholic

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This is one of the two doll houses that will be in the auction during the Carmelite Fair.

HOLLADAY - Even though this year the annual Carmelite Fair will have the usual rides, food, activities and entertainments, one thing will be missing – Carmelite Sister Mary Joseph Whipperman, who was well known in the community for her smile and as the gregarious organizer of the annual Carmelite Fair. The nun, who served as the Carmelite’s extern sister, passed away in July.

But that hasn’t stopped her friends, who – together with Mother Superior Maureen Goodwin and many other hands – have put together this year’s Carmelite Fair.

“This event is the only way that the sisters get funds,” said Barbara Sfilinovich, one of the fair volunteers. “Financially the sisters need this fair to stay in Utah, to keep this monastery afloat.”

Though many of the fair volunteers became involved as members of the Catholic Church, the entire community has supported the event for years, said Mary Michael Langan of Bountiful.

“Once a year, I get to see people from all over different parts of Utah,” Langan said.

Sfilinovich and Langan, together with Mitch Quintana, Midge Gourde, Tim Langan, Diane and Daryl Davis, Annette Karts, Andrew Cristiansen, and other volunteers have been working to set all the details for the fair’s success.

Some of the organizers consider the fair as the second largest fair in the state of Utah, behind the state fair.

As has been tradition, the sisters will have a craft stand selling items handmade by them, as well as a vocational stand, and they will open their chapel to visitors.

“We just love them; we know they need the help and we do everything we can for them because we know they help us by praying and everybody needs the pray,” Quintana said.

A large part of the fair is the food; ethnic cuisine such as Mexican and Italian will be for sale as well as the ubiquitous burgers and hot dogs. Ice cream also will be served. Every hour there will be entertainment such as a live auction, Utah Basque Dancers, Utah Pipe Band, the OPA Greek Dancers, and the Chinese Lion Dance. The children’s area will include games and rides.

Each year approximately 4,000 patrons attend the fair; the volunteers number about 300 people of all ages.

Raffle prizes include gift certificates and items donated from businesses in the Salt Lake and Park City areas. This year, besides the 2010 Nissan Versa offered as the special prize, the Carmelite Fair presents many items in the live and silent auctions, one of which is a red Sunny LB150T motorcycle.

The Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, or Carmelites, is a Catholic religious order perhaps founded in the 12th century on Mount Carmel, hence its name. The Carmelite Monastery in Holladay is the only community of cloistered Catholic nuns in Utah.

What: The Carmelite Fair to support the contemplative life.

When: Sept. 19, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Carmelite Monastery, 5714 Holladay Blvd.

Carmelite Fair Shuttle Bus Schedule runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Three stops:

Cottonwood Mall/Macy’s parking lot - 6200 S. Highland Dr.

Elias Greek Orthodox Church - 5600 S. Highland Dr. (after 12 p.m. only)

Carmelite Monastery, 5714 S. Holladay Blvd.