MAHOPAC, N.Y. – The heart of Mahopac will be filled with music, dancing, and authentic Italian food this weekend as Festa Italiana Del Giglio takes over the grounds of St. John’s Church. The celebration, deeply rooted in Catholic tradition, is expected to draw crowds eager to experience one of Italy’s most cherished cultural rituals.
Organized by the Giglio Society
The festival is being presented by the Giglio Society, a group of dedicated individuals committed to honoring centuries-old Catholic traditions. Their passion for preserving Italian heritage has turned the event into an annual highlight for the Mahopac community.
Giulio Cefaloni, president of the Italian-American Club of Mahopac, said the festival is more than just a party—it is an expression of faith and devotion.
“Their love and devotion is on display each year during the Annual Italian Festival held throughout Italy,” Cefaloni explained. “When honoring patron saints, they do so in the same fashion as their ancestors did, building a Giglio and dancing in the streets.”
What is a Giglio?
At the center of the festivities is the Giglio, an elaborate tower that can rise between 75 and 85 feet tall. Constructed of wood and decorated with a paper-mâché face, the Giglio is adorned with flowers, saints, and vibrant designs. The most significant flower featured is the lily—“giglio” in Italian—which gives the structure its name.
The Giglio is not just admired; it is carried. More than 100 men lift the massive structure onto their shoulders and, inspired by music, move it rhythmically through the streets.
A Tradition Dating Back to 409 A.D.
Cefaloni traced the tradition back to its origins in Nola, Italy, in 409 A.D.. The ritual was created to honor the town’s patron saint and has been passed down for centuries. Today, towns throughout the region surrounding Naples celebrate similar feasts, each with its own variation.
In Brusciano, a city near Naples, six Giglios are constructed annually in honor of Sant’ Antonio. Each August, they are carried and danced through the streets to the sounds of live bands and singers stationed on platforms built into the base of the towering structures.
“The music is an integral part of the dancing of the Giglio,” Cefaloni said. “It inspires the lifters to take on the burdening weight of the Giglio and dance it in harmony to the music being played.”
Food, Music, and Community
The Mahopac celebration aims to capture the spirit of these historic Italian festivals. Attendees can expect a blend of ceremonial traditions, cultural performances, and fine Italian cuisine. From homemade pasta and pastries to festive street food, the event promises to be a culinary highlight for visitors.
Live music will fill the air throughout the weekend, encouraging dancing and celebrating, while families gather to enjoy games, entertainment, and the sense of community that defines Italian heritage.
Festival Schedule
The feast kicks off today (Saturday) at 12 noon and runs until 11 p.m., with the highlight of the evening being An Evening in the Piazza, featuring live performances and community gatherings under the night sky.
On Sunday, festivities begin at 11:30 a.m. and continue until 9 p.m., concluding with the breathtaking Dancing of the Giglio, where the towering structure will be lifted and moved in rhythm with the music—a spectacle that has captivated audiences for centuries.
Keeping Tradition Alive
For Mahopac’s Italian-American community, the Festa Italiana Del Giglio is more than just a festival—it is a way of keeping tradition alive for future generations.
By recreating the rituals of their ancestors, organizers hope to inspire pride in cultural heritage while bringing the wider community together to share in the joy, music, and faith that the Giglio represents.
Leave a Reply