Italian Festival Honors The Madonna

Church opens its 2012 Italian Feast and Festival honoring the Madonna della Difesa this afternoon at 5 p.m. in the "festival field" on Sherman Avenue behind the church.

This marks the 104th year since the founding of the feast society, named for the hilltop in Italy where, according to legend, four men who had seen the Virgin Mary in a dream later met each other on the hilltop and discovered skeletons, the remains of a chapel, an altar, and a marble inscription — as they had been promised in their dream.

Here are the details for the Our Lady of Grace Italian Feast and Festival's opening night, Sept. 6:

Where: Our Lady of Grace Church, 4 Lafayette St. (off George Waterman Road)

When: 5 to 10 p.m.

Parking: A free parking lot is available across the street from the church; parking available along George Waterman Road.

Tickets: All rides and food require tickets, available for purchase under the main tent. Tickets also for sale in the grand raffle, to be drawn Sunday night.

Note: Cash only. No credit or debit cards accepted.

 Need cash on the way to the feast? See map for nearest banks and ATMs.

Food: Tonight's featured dishes are tripe and soffrito.

Entertainment: DJ Gary Salzillo takes the stage to spin the hits from 7 to 10 p.m. Rides for children and adults and games of skill are located to the rear of the church.

Watch JohnstonPatch for daily listings of performers and featured dishes through the weekend of the Our Lady of Grace Italian Feast and Festival, Sept. 6 though 9, 2012.

Did you attend the Our Lady of Grace Feast? Share your photos on our Pics & Clips gallery.