Sacred Heart Fall Festival enjoys lively weekend

The Sacred Heart’s Fall Festival started out first with the fish fry and children’s dance the evening of Friday, Sept. 19. Also underway were the weekend-long features including the spirit wall, concessions, white elephant thrift sale, silent auction, book fair and much more. Church member Tonya Lens, commented the fish fry is a family favorite, saying “My kids couldn’t wait to get up here.” On Friday evening, 315 adults and 35 children were served; the Saturday evening dinner served 175 pulled pork sandwiches.

 

Saturday featured a full day of events including bingo all day under the tent with concessions, a 7 p.m. street dance with musician Bryce Leppert; children’s games and activities all day; raffle drawings, and the spirit wall serving adult beverages. Matthew Petsinger had a spot under a small awning near the bounce houses: Three were shaped like castles. Petsinger explained the repetition was quite purposeful so that children of different sizes could be channeled into separate play areas. He added, “I’m volunteering today because it’s good for the community to get out like this and come together.”

 

Bobbi Love was helping with children’s activities in the alleyway near the school. She seemed happy to report, “We have a new item this year.” She pointed to a smoking bubble machine;  children with sticks were chasing and popping the little silver bubbles just to watch the smoke explode. Next to that was a candy wall where children could play a game for suckers.

 

Monica Priebe was working the silent auction set up in the gym opposite the book fair. The auction had many donated items in baskets, many of which were filled based on a theme. Among other items for sale were cookie baking baskets, waffle sets, pumpkins, wine, and sports team merchandise. Priebe said she was happy with the festival this year and hoped to raise enough for the church, “We receive a lot of these baskets as donations and we’re so grateful.” She knows a thing or two about the festival, said Priebe, “I chaired this for 11 years and worked at the school for 16 with the youth and family ministry. I love this church and its mission.”

 

The book sale featured picture and coloring books, pens, classroom pointers, posters, diaries and journals. The White Elephant thrift store’s items change every year, but organizers say there are always some interesting finds.

 

Father Glen Frerichs said, “I want to thank everyone who is helping to make our fall festival a big success. One reason this event has been so successful in both our parishes is that it brings families together to celebrate faith and community. It has also had a significant role in helping us meet our yearly budget. Each committee chairperson deserves a lot of credit because they have kept it organized and well run from year to year.”

 

Sacred Heart Church is currently looking for pumpkins, gourds or anything else suitable for decorating. There will also be an All-You-Can-Eat Dad’s Belgian Waffles event at the New Richland All Saints Fall Festival from 9 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28.