BY LYNDA J. HEMMERLING
NWIC correspondent
With a sense of community reaching far beyond their church campuses, local parish festival organizers are gearing up for summer events with fresh ideas to pique interest and increase participation.
There are some things that don’t change, especially the deep appreciation of parish volunteers, local business and restaurant owners, and town councils who provide assistance and accommodations.
Some of the Diocese of Gary parishes hosting summer fests include: St. Thomas More, Munster; Nativity of Our Savior, Portage; St. Michael the Archangel, Schererville; and St. John the Evangelist, St. John.
Patricia Salinas, a co-organizer for the event at St. Thomas More, said she loves how the parish provides a family atmosphere and appreciates all the money raised during this fundraiser. But one of her fondest memories is an offshoot from the festival itself.
It was the time she noticed a pick-up wiffle ball game in the field where the large amusement park rides used to be located. About 30 children played the game with a wiffle ball and bat that one of them had won at the fest. “They did this all on their own; it just won my heart,” Salinas said. “It was such a beautiful witness.”
The positive vibes from parish festivals have many layers.
New to her position, Krystal Quagliara, St. John the Evangelist events coordinator, said she could not manage the fest without her core group of parish partners. “They are such wonderful, dedicated people. I’d be lost without them.”
Nativity of Our Savior co-chairs LeeAnn Bonta and Frank Farkas really appreciate the seasoned volunteers and the new families that have stepped forward to prepare for their festival.
“There is a huge sense of comradery,” Bonta said. “All hands are on deck – the school, every organization, and Portage itself. This is a huge Portage party. The whole community comes together. Schools even plan their class reunions around this.”
In addition to local music groups, Portage is also booking “big name entertainment” and is hosting a country singer, which is different this year, Bonta said.
After two years without a fest, Portage is so excited for this 55th event, Farkas said. “It’s challenging and exciting all at the same time. This is our greatest evangelistic event of the year. Families are intertwined with the community,” he said.
Nativity is keeping some of its homemade meals, known as “The best food this side of heaven,” while also adding food truck options to change with the times, noted Farkas.
Various food trucks are also a hit at the St. Michael Fest, said Rob Guetzloff, fest organizer for 44 years. When he began, volunteers used to serve 900 fish dinners on Friday, some 600 steak dinners on Saturday and nearly 1,200 chicken dinners on Sunday. “Now people are looking for a faster meal. They want to be able to grab it and keep going.”
The longest-running fest around, the St. Michael Fest has evolved in other ways during the past seven decades. Organizers used to raffle off a brand-new car, as well as host a flea market. They were even home to a petting zoo for a few years, as well as kiddie rides.
The kiddie rides have been replaced with bounce houses and booths with face painting and carnival games. Some of the tried-and-true activities that are continuing include musical entertainment each evening, bingo and a Saturday car show, as well as the biggest crowd pleaser - the mega raffle.
“As the oldest fest around, we continue to build on the things people enjoy and make changes as needed,” Guetzloff said.
Salinas noted that in the last two years, St. Thomas More has been moving away from hyped-up, amusement park-style rides to a more relaxed event. Food trucks and vendors are plenty. “We have created a food and music festival atmosphere. We want our families to enjoy this, for our parents to come and enjoy music while their children enjoy games.”
The parish is really trying to meet the needs of its parishioners, in particular teens, who will now be able to do axe throwing, dice game, ring toss and more. “We did a survey with the kids at the school. They are interested in games and competition, so we are providing that,” Salinas said.
Quagliara is excited to work on the new fest and is not reinventing the wheel when it comes to ideas. With a “fresh set of eyes,” she is focusing on improving the mechanics behind the preparation.
“St. John literally provides something for everyone; it can be like a staycation,” she said. “Especially with increased airfare and concerns about travel, more people can spend time and money in their own backyard. It’s great that we can provide this for families. We have such a welcoming environment…for a safe, family-oriented outing. It is definitely a form of evangelization.”
The raffles are key to all the parish festivals, typically the largest fundraisers they hold each year. The funds are used to bolster various ministries and given to different organizations in need.
Quagliara echoed the sentiment of all fest organizers. “I am excited to grow the fest so our parish can do more in the community,” she said.