Thu Sep 02 2010
by Eric Marotta
Editor
Northfield Center -- Organizers of St. Barnabas' annual parish festival expect this year's event to be even more family and church oriented than in year's past.
But most of all, it's for the community, said Joyce Colovas, the parish's director of development.
"This isn't just a festival for us," she said. "It's about community and it's about community involvement."
Festival hours are June 19 and June 20 from 6 p.m. to midnight and June 21 from 3 to 10 p.m.
Now in its seventh year, the festival began as a way to retire debt incurred from the parish's last expansion project.
But the festival and its ice cream and carnival rides won't disappear once that debt is retired, said the Rev. Ralph Wiatrowski, who will be attending his second festival this year.
"Since being assigned as pastor of St. Barnabas, I have come to realize that the annual festival is the heart of our parish," Wiatrowski told the News Leader. "It is a place where young and old come together as a community to enjoy each other's company and have a good time."
He thanked the hundreds of volunteers who help make the festival a success.
"Their goodness is a testament to our Christian faith," he said.
Colovas said dozens of volunteers will be on hand to staff the kids' tent, where artwork featuring tales from Genesis will be on display. The tent is a new feature -- one of several touches meant to add "more of a Catholic theme" to the festivities, she added.
Other volunteers from the Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union will staff the casino tent, where proceeds will go to benefit a charity in Cleveland.
A raffle featuring a $10,000 grand prize, as well as other contests will take place during the festival, including a Texas Hold'em tournament, a Corn Hole contest and a Bocce Ball tournament. The Texas Hold'em tournament begins Sunday at 1 p.m. Players must sign up by calling 330-467-7959.
Throughout the weekend, festival goers will be invited to compete in the St. Barnabas "Idol" karaoke contest, patterned after American Idol. There will also be a Guitar Hero contest.
And speaking of musical entertainment, two bands will perform -- rock by the Permanent Basement band on Friday night and polka with Tom Mroczka and The Music Box on Saturday night.
Colovas said she expects as many as 7,000 people from around the area will attend.
"It's a great opportunity to propagate the faith," she said.
E-mail: emarotta@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3171
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