For 136 years, since 1887, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast in Williamsburg, Brooklyn has been a popular place where Italian Americans have celebrated their faith, culture and family.

All these years later, the feast is still going strong, thanks to the dedication and hard work of the Italian community.

The main attraction of the feast is the dancing of the Giglio.  It's a a 4-ton, six-story statue, decorated with images of saints and flowers. About 120 men carry the Giglio on their shoulders, dancing in the streets of the feast.

The Giglio is a tradition that dates back more than 1,500 years to Naples, Italy. When Italian immigrants first traveled from Nola, near Naples, to Williamsburg, they wanted to continue celebrating the patron saint of Nola, San Paolino. That's why this festival is celebrated every year.

The feast opens on Wednesday, July 5. It continues through July 16. For 12 days, the streets surrounding Our Lady of Mount Carmel are transformed into a vibrant festival, with food vendors, rides, games and daily entertainment.

It takes place near North 8th and Havermeyer streets in Williamsburg. 

For more information, go to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast's website.