Growing Up Italian in Elkhart, IN - St. Anthony's Day

The St. Anthony's Day Bonfire celebration/tradition continues today much like it did in the "Little Italy" Harrison Street neighborhood in Elkhart, Indiana when it was a thriving area of the community. Parts of this, interviews, pictures, and other video will be included in the DVD documentary "Growing Up Italian in Elkhart, Indiana" which will preserve memories, traditions, and values of this once vibrant Italian community. Please visit www.StoriesRetold.com on the web or either FaceBook fansite "Stories Retold" or "Elkhart History" for DVD information and release date.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Growing Up Italian
• Elkhart
• Indiana
• Italian
• Italy
• St Anthony
• Saint
• Anthony
• Larry App
• Stories Retold
• Stories
• Retold
• History
• Traditions
• Values
• Interview
• Little Italy
• Ethnic

[LarryInBristol]

I'm sure there is a ban on burning within the city limits, but the Italian Club gets a special permit from the city Fire Department (complete with special burning rules) to perform this ceremony once a year. In the old days (pre-1940's) bonfires would be built in several of the street intersections and families would walk from one bonfire to another each tossing on a log for "good luck", visiting, eating, and drinking wine. The St. Anthony's Day bonfires are a tradition that goes back to Italy.

[LaniElkhart]

... thought there was a ban on burning within Elkhart city limits?...

[vinceman]

beautiful. can't wait to see and BUY this great documentary!