The Holy Rose Festival is a tradition of family vacations

LIMA – One of the oldest traditions of Lima has returned after a two-year break, as the Holy Rose Parish Festival returns this weekend.

Mary Paton, chair of the Holy Rose Festival, has helped organize the event for more than 20 years. She started working at the school around 1997, continuing the same festival tradition she remembered as a child.

“I am a member of the parish and studied here more than 40 years ago,” Paton said. “I remember it was only one day. They had burgers, grills and children’s games. But they also had a teenage dance. That was the main thing when you were older. “

After the break the festival returned thanks to Father Norbert Howe.

“She became a community builder to show what’s special about the Holy Rose. The parishioners were there to greet the community that visited our territory, got acquainted with the people at the Holy Rose, ”Paton said.

In addition, the experience helps students, teachers and parishioners to show a spirit of volunteerism.

“We are usually the first parish festival of the season in the Lima area,” Paton said. “We’re just coming back from a two-year break because of COVID. … A lot of work really. Planning for next year’s festival begins around Christmas, and preparations begin after Easter. One of the reasons we hold it in May is that the kids are still in school to help along with their parents. Children’s games on Sunday are organized by teams of parents and students who volunteer for two-hour shifts, but as a result, children have fun.

Students bring items and fill themed baskets that are played out. For example, the Rainy Day basket may contain items such as videos, blankets, coloring books and a gift certificate for pizza.

Cake Wheel Country Store is a roulette game. Winners choose either bakery products or bags of non-perishable products, all of which were donated by students ’families.

“Adult Night” will begin on Saturday and last from 17.00 to midnight. It is open to anyone until 19.00, when persons under 21 need to leave. To listen to Brother Believe Me from 7:30 pm to 11:30 pm, there will be a fee of $ 2

Adult Night helps pay for free admission to “Family Day,” which runs from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Two bands will play: Mischief (from 12:00 to 15:00) and Ham Bone (from 16:00 to 20:00).

This year, visitors can expect to see some old attractions, but also some new ones.

“While I was organizing the festival, we used D&D Putting and Amusements at Continental. But I was told that because of COVID and the problems with getting people to work, they stopped and were forced to sell their mechanical trips. Some of them were sold to the Event Growth Organization from Kenton, which will provide rides and food, ”Paton said.

According to Dan Egbert of EGO, they will bring a Kids Town ride, a Tubs of Fun spinning ride for younger children, a Mighty Truck Ride, Frolic spinning for older children, a 60-foot slide and a house for jumping.

Expect fair-type foods such as snowballs, cotton candy, funnel cakes, elephant ears, hot dogs, burgers and pizza. Regular attendees will be happy to learn that they are still serving 1,800 pounds of wings, as well as a half-chicken dinner for $ 12 and two side dishes prepared by Custer & Sons BBQ, which will be available on Sunday.

Children will be engaged in painting faces, a pond with fish, bottles of milk and a sucker. New this year will be games and prizes offered by Westgate Lanes.

There is a 50/50 draw for adults. The grand prize is usually around $ 5,000.

After more than 165 years in Lima, the Holy Rose is the oldest Catholic church in the city. During this time the parish has grown to about 600 families, and many at the school and church volunteer at the annual festival.

As the festival takes place during the enrollment period, parents meet with teachers and students of St. Rouge and may ask how to enroll their child in kindergarten between the ages of 3 and eighth grade. To reimburse expenses, vouchers and needs-based scholarships are available.

With a few adjustments, Paton helps to create an unforgettable experience for the next generation, like the ones she grew up with.

Volunteers are helping to prepare the wings for barbecue in 2017 at the Holy Rose Parish Festival. The festival, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, plans to drop 1,800 pounds of wings. Pictured left are Michael Link, Matt Link and Sean O’Brien.

The Kenton Growth Organization will provide rides for this year’s Holy Rose Festival, including Kids Town Ride, Tubs of Fun Spinning Ride for Younger Kids, Mighty Truck Ride, Frolic Spinning for Older Kids, a 60-foot ride. long slide and house for jumping.

Contact Shannon Bole at 567-242-0399 by email at [email protected] or on Twitter @Bohle_LimaNews.