Singing Legend Bobby Rydell to Perform at Enfield Italian Festival

One of rock and roll's early teen idols will be taking the stage Saturday night at the 88th annual Enfield Italian Festival.

Bobby Rydell, the youngest performer to headline at the famous Copacabana Club in New York City, will be joining Deana Martin as her special guest at the Mount Carmel Society.

Martin, daughter of legendary Rat Pack entertainer Dean Martin, is making her third consecutive appearance at the festival, and the inclusion of Rydell  promises to make this year's event the best yet.

"We will have a larger stage this year, which will add more to the show," Society president Carl Sferrazza said.

Rydell (born Robert Ridarelli) had five Top 10 hits in his career, including "Wild One" and "Volare"; the latter was also a hit for Dean Martin. The Philadelphia native appeared a number of times on "American Bandstand," and in later years performed with fellow City of Brotherly Love idols Frankie Avalon and Fabian. In the Broadway production of Grease and the subsequent blockbuster film, the characters attended Rydell High School, named after him.

Martin and Rydell are known internationally, but they will not be the only great musical acts performing at the three-day festival.

On Friday, the Savage Brothers will take the stage. The area group has been together for more than three decades.

"They haven't been at Mount Carmel for over 10 years, so we're happy to have them back," Sferrazza said.

Closing the festival on Sunday will be a pair of nostalgia acts: the Fabulous Galaxies, and award-winning Elvis impersonator Ray Guillemette, Jr.

The Italian Festival is much more than just music. All the food is prepared by Society members, with the exception of pastries from Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken, NJ, made famous by the television series "Cake Boss." Chef Mauro Castano and other cast members from the show will be in attendance throughout the weekend.

Sunday events include a traditional Mass, spoken partly in Italian, at 8:30 a.m., followed by a continental breakfast and a procession through the streets of Thompsonville, led by an Italian marching band. The annual greased pole climb kicks off evening festivities at 6:30 p.m.

Carnival rides and games will be provided by Marrena Amusements.

Festival hours are Friday, Aug. 2, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 3, 4-11 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 4, 5-10 p.m. There is a nominal $2 admission fee, with kids 12 and under admitted free.

For more information, visit www.mtcarmelsociety.com.