Faith, fun and community shine at annual Carmelite fair, fundraiser for the nuns

Friday, Sep. 26, 2025

SALT LAKE CITY — Despite a downpour in the middle of the day, the Sept. 21 Carmelite Fair held at the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Monastery in Salt Lake City was a success. Fair-goers good-naturedly dealt with the rain while continuing to shop, bid on baskets at the live and silent auctions, enter the prize drawings and enjoy the food offerings and entertainment.

The annual fair, which began in 1952, would not be possible without hundreds of volunteers who donate their time both the day of the fair and for months prior to it as they solicit donations and prepare the auctions.

The fair always includes several booths selling items handcrafted by the nuns, their jams and homemade candies, along with others such as the religious booth, the homemade goodies booth, a general store and a produce stand that has been manned for many years by the Knights of Columbus from Blessed Sacrament Parish in Sandy.

“The nuns – we appreciate what they do for us,” said Bob Popish, a Knight working at the produce stand. “I hope they’re here forever.”

Janet Van Gelder, also a Blessed Sacrament parishioner, has been volunteering at the fair for nine years; this year she was at the home-baked goods booth.

There’s no reason not to,” she said. “It’s nice to have a purpose. I was asked nine years ago by a person from Blessed Sacrament to help and I’ve done it ever since. And I love it. 

“It has been wonderful,” said Van Gelder, who also is in charge of collecting donations from businesses throughout Salt Lake County. “The generosity of companies even during Covid has been phenomenal, and the generosity is so impactful.” 

Also important to the fair’s success are the dance groups and bands that perform each year.

The Greek Orthodox GOYA dancers, ages seventh to ninth grade, are members of the Greek Orthodox Youth of America ministry; the group has performed every year at the fair for more than four decades. This year, along with the younger dancers, a newly formed adult group performed.

“This will be such a unique experience,” said dancer Christine Chachas before the performance. “This is my first time even attending [the fair], so I think this is a great bridging between the two faiths and it will be really, really fun.”