While parish festivals may have originated as fundraisers to support the church, they have become a vital way of creating a sense of community for some parishes within the Diocese of Gary. The festivals provide opportunities for parishioners, non-parishioners, and newcomers to interact and build relationships.
St. James Festival - Highland
Recently St. James the Less asked parishioners and friends of the church to “Come Celebrate Summer with Us.” It was year three of a comeback for the festival and the staff and volunteers were eager to make it the best one yet despite the high temperatures.
The festival was open for three days June 20-22 with food, music, Kids Zone, bingo, a beer garden and more. Attendees also had the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win the big prize of
$15,000.
Volunteer Terrie David credited Father Gregory Bim-Merle with bringing back the summer festival and acknowledged its success rested in God’s hands. She added what she enjoys most about the event is seeing all the people enjoying themselves.
“After so many years of not having the festival, it’s great to be able to have it,” David said. “It’s a fun time.”
Father Bim-Merle shared that the restart of the St. James Festival was motivated by the interest of the parish community.
“A lot of people would say to me, ‘You know, Father, we miss our festival, and we wish we could have it back,’ so there was certainly a desire from the community,” he said.
Father Bim-Merle explained that not only were there a handful of people from the parish that wanted the festival to return, but more importantly, they had the skill set to run it.
“We took a gamble and brought it back, and it's grown every year since,” he said. “What I love is that it’s not just a fundraiser for the parish, but it's a community event.”
Father Bim-Merle noted that a parish festival is sometimes a person’s first exposure to a church. That experience, he pointed out, can lead to the possibility of them attending Mass and further engagement with the faith.
“It takes an army of volunteers along with some good entertainment and good food, and people are going to come,” he said.
St. John Festival - St. John
St. John the Evangelist has hosted the St. John Festival for over 100 years. It's a way to bring the community together and allows the parish a space to evangelize to serve its mission to “Be Disciples, Make Disciples.”
The festival, scheduled for July 10-13, set up along U.S. 41 in St. John, offers something for those of every age. The early crowd will appreciate Father Sammie Maletta's quiet hour (first hour of the event without music) and BINGO. For those of middle age, there is live entertainment, food and beer. Teens and kids can enjoy playing games and riding carnival rides.
“This year we are revamping the kids games, we've doubled the amount of games, moved it inside our hall under the Day Chapel, and brought back the kids raffle,” said Sydney Vega, event coordinator at SJE.
The festival used to be put on solely by the parish. However, with the growth it experienced, the parish beganto partner with local food vendors, hire a tent company and bring in carnival vendors.
“We are still wholesome as the event is run by volunteers, with myself being the only parish staff member,” Vega said.
Ministries that continue to offer support to the festival, as they have for many years, include the Knights of Columbus, Men's Club, lay Franciscans and more.
“Having a great team is what makes our festival successful,” Vega said. “I have about 25 core members who help me plan the event, 10 chairpersons that each lead a food booth, and over 600 volunteers, all who are passionate about SJE. Their help truly goes further than they think...they represent the heart of our parish.”
More details regarding the St John Fest can be found online at stjohnfest.org.
NativityFest - Portage
The same week, July 10-13, Nativity of Our Savior in Portage will host its NativityFest.
“One of our biggest and most important reasons for hosting our summer festival is to promote a sense of community within our parish community and our local community as well,” said Frank Farkas 2025 NativityFest co-chair. “NativityFest is our biggest single fundraiser of the year, but it is also our biggest evangelistic effort of the year too.”
This will be the parish’s 57th year providing NativityFest to the community. Each year it tries to implement an improvement from the year prior. Whether it's making adjustments to family seating, updating the amusement section, or creating a variety of free live music that covers everyone's liking, those on the festival committee are always evaluating and tweaking through the years.
From the affordable homemade tacos and food in the parish food booth to the free local live musical talents that it highlights, Farkas said the festival is about creating an energy that starts with the volunteers and becomes infectious, inspiring more folks to join the parish.
“Our success is 100% a direct result of our amazing volunteers,” Farkas said. “We could not put on NativityFest without the hard work and dedication of these fine folks and the generosity of their time and talents. We are also extremely fortunate to have many sponsors that help offset the cost of putting on an event of this magnitude.”
One of the highlights of the weekend is Sunday 11 a.m. Mass in the Grass with Father Kevin McCarthy. The church converts the festival grounds into a worship space, and it is typically one of the most well attended events associated with the festival. For more information, visit facebook.com/NativityFest.
St. Michael Parish Festival - Schererville
St. Michael Parish Festival will take place on the church grounds in Schererville, Aug. 1-2. As festival committee chairs, Robbie Hansen and Eric Guetzloff said the church hosts the festival as a community building experience.
“We have a large parish, and like doing something that everyone can come together and feel involved with,” Hansen said.
The two-day event incorporates a car show, food trucks, Kid Zone and more. Hansen shared the highlight of the event is always the camaraderie everyone has, but the beer garden, live music, mega raffle and bingo also make it a fun event at which to spend some time.
Hansen said the festival has been going on for longer than he has been alive, and though the layout has changed over time, the principles remain the same, “we just want everyone to come out and have a good time.”
“I think a successful festival just has to do with a good group of volunteers and parishioners coming out, banding together,” he said.
For more information on the St. Michael Parish Festival, visit stmichaelparish.life/wp-content/uploads/St-Michael-Festival-2025.png.
Western Days - Griffith
Also coming in August, St. Mary in Griffith will host its annual Western Days Festival. The festival originally started as a chicken dinner aimed at bringing the parishioners together for fellowship. As it evolved, it took on the cowboy theme because Msgr. Richard Zollinger always wore cowboy hats.
The four-day festival is one of the oldest festivals in the Diocese of Gary. This year the festival will take place Aug. 14-17, marking its 52nd anniversary.
“Our festival is uniquely successful because it is entirely organized and run by parishioners,” explained Sarah Mikuly, parish secretary. “Everything from the kids games, to bingo, games of chance, the beer garden, or to the delicious American, Mexican and Rib Shack food booths is all prepped, cooked and served by volunteers.”
She added, “While we are blessed by many sponsors willing to donate their time or services, there are no outside vendors or food trucks.”
As Western Days continued to evolve through the years, it expanded to include a free sensory friendly event for anyone with special needs and their families. For the 3rd year in a row Fantasy Amusements will open early with parish volunteers on Saturday, Aug. 16 from 1-2:30 p.m. so that the rides can be enjoyed without any overwhelming lights and sounds. Last year, more than 500 free hot dogs and water bottles were handed out to all those that attended.
All proceeds from the festival benefit the church and St. Mary School. For more information, visit smgriffith.org/festival.html.
Faithful are encouraged check with their local parish regarding summer activities. From vacation bible schools to parish picnics, there are plenty of ways for the community to stay connected to their neighborhood church.
