Volunteers help cook barbecued wings Saturday at a prior St. Rose Parish Festival.
LIMA — When Mary Paton took over as co-chair for the St. Rose Parish Festival, she was given one important piece of advice: do not lose money.
Still, the most important thing to the St. Rose Catholic School secretary is that everyone has a good time and enjoys fellowship Saturday night and Sunday.
“We are hoping to kick off the summer and to have a great crowd and open our grounds,” Paton said. “This is our largest fundraiser of the year so we get a lot of people involved among our parishioners and our school families. We really want everyone to come and have a good time and invite the community to come see what’s so special about St. Rose.”
There will be plenty of special things at this year’s festival, including a contest from local radio station 104.9 FM to win a motorcycle, food including wings and musical performances from Liam Stolly and Brother Believe Me, and that is just the first night starting at 5 p.m.
After an adults-only first night, Sunday’s Family Day starting at noon will feature performances from Prudence and Hambone, beef and noodle dinners and plenty of contests and kids activities.
Paton thinks that one thing in particular will be special, though.
“A long time ago, we had a high school here so we still see alumni come from the high school,” she said. “So it’s really like a reunion of sorts and we have even gotten some families who have switched schools because they like the atmosphere.”
Paton has helped with the festival, which started around 30 years ago and was paused briefly, for 20 years and is proud to say that she has never failed to heed that advice from when she first took over.
“I want to get across that that’s not the reason why we have the festival,” she said. “It’s a great aside, but that’s not why we have it. We have it for fellowship and to get together and celebrate the school year ending and the summer beginning.”
Paton said that she hopes that people take away more important lessons from the festival.
“This is a fun place and a safe place to bring your kids and your families to,” she said. “Plan on having a good time. Because we’re not trying to make a profit, we tried to keep the cost of everything affordable so that people can enjoy the rides and families can come and be here.”
The St. Rose Parish Festival will be at St. Rose Catholic Church at 523 N. West St. in Lima.
Adult Night will be Saturday and admission for all over 21 will be $3. IDs will be checked.
Family Day will be Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. In addition to the live entertainment, mechanical rides, kids activities and refreshments, there will be games, raffles and a chance to win tickets to an Ohio State football game.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: St. Rose Parish Festival
WHEN: Starting at 5 p.m. Saturday (adults only) and noon Sunday (family day)
WHERE: St. Rose Catholic Church, 523 N. West St., Lima.
Tickets for Saturday’s events are $3.
Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.
