Carmelite Fair will be Sept. 21

Friday, Aug. 29, 2025

SALT LAKE CITY — The traditional Carmelite Fair, which has been the main source of income for the Carmelite nuns who live at the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Salt Lake City, will feature its usual “fun for the whole family,” as the poster advertises, with live entertainment and games as well some incredible items for the live and silent auctions, said Michelle Russo, chairperson for the live auction.

One of these items is a weekend in South Bend to see a Notre Dame football game, she said. “The house is walking distance; we include the tickets that are on the 25-yard line. I don’t know much about football, but I have been told this is a lifetime opportunity,” she said.

Other items include a “Yellowstone” script signed by Kevin Costner, a golf cart package and fine jewelry, according to the event poster. In addition, candies and jams made by the nuns will be available for sale. 

Supporting the Carmelites is important because “they really are part of the foundation of the Church,” Russo said, adding that she is amazed to see how grounded the Carmelites are in their faith.

“I honestly get very emotional” thinking about the Carmelite Fair,” she said. “Those grounds are so special; it is just the monastery is an overwhelming feeling when I get there.”

 Russo has been actively helping with the fair for 14 years.

“I grew up going to the Carmelite Fair; as a child it was always very important to my parents and my grandmother that we attend, and when I got older I went with my friends,” she said. “I mean, it’s just as much as a tradition to me as going to the Italian festival. There are things that are very important.”

She began by donating items to the fair, then volunteered to help the Carmelites with the auction items, and ended up being the live auctions chairperson.

“It’s so important that these traditions were made and followed,” she said. “Especially in these times it’s hard to have a meaningful relationship with Christ.” 

She admires the Carmelite nuns for being “such strong women,” she said. “They try their best to be totally self sufficient, and this is the one time of the year that we can really give them back.”

Russo said that the Carmelite nuns sometimes “don’t have anything and they still get up and pray for all of us. Their whole life is dedicated to pray for us, and the least that we can do is be gracious and pay it forward.”

WHAT: 2025 Carmelite Fair 

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Carmelite monastery, 5714 Holladay Blvd., Salt Lake City

Free shuttle services will be available on the day of the fair; for information, visit https://www.carmelslc.org/carmelite-fair/

The annual Run for the Nuns will precede the fair, with an 8 a.m. start time. To register, visit https://www.raceentry.com/races/run-for-the-nuns/2025/register Or call Bob at 801-943-3569 email: bobschovaers@aol.com or run4rgenuns@gmail.com