The St. Mary’s Catholic Church and School hosted their 88th annual St. Mary’s Community Fall Festival Homecoming Celebration Sunday, Sept. 11.
This was the third year that the festival was held on the church and school grounds. The gym served as the perfect place for a live and silent auction.
The barbecue brisket was prepared by Pete’s BBQ and sausage was prepared and donated by Mikeska Brands.
Chicken Express donated tea. Ministries of the church operated booths for the event. The Catholic Daughters headed up the cake walk with homemade cakes. The ladies of the KJZT Family Life, ran the country store that featured handmade items, jams and baked goods.
The St. Anne’s Altar Society headed up a silent auction with many items for purchase. The St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus made sure no one was thirsty by running the beer garden.
Ed Kopecky and his band had everyone on their toes with their upbeat polka music from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Aaron Barta entertained everyone with his beautiful voice. Scooter Dubec and Sterling Country played from 2 p.m. to the end of the festival.
This year a new plant booth was added featuring hanging baskets and plants of all kinds. There were great concessions manned by school parents and parishioners including but not limited to fajitas, chicken flautas, popcorn and snow cones.
Children enjoyed games such as the ever-popular ring toss and toy walk. Father John went around the entire festival and blessed everyone with holy water as soon as he arrived. The all-time fan favorite game was the dunking booth that included a number of well-liked teachers and coaches from the school, and none other than Father John Kim.
At the end of the live auction Father John and Head of School, Heidi Altman drew the winners for the raffle prizes. The festival took place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the St. Mary’s community looks forward to another wonderful event full of fellowship next year.
