Volunteers are preparing for the Tiffin St. Joseph Festival Saturday and Sunday to benefit Calvert Catholic Schools.
Mike Szablewski and his committee have been collecting prizes, recruiting workers, scheduling entertainment and making final arrangements.
Volunteers came to the parish parking lot on South Washington Street Tuesday morning to set up the framing for most of the booths. Szablewski and Bob Clouse stayed into the afternoon to stick-build the lunch stand from lumber that is used year after year and then pulled down and stored for future festivals.
Article Photos
PHOTO BY MARYANN KROMER
Tuesday’s heat didn’t stop Bob Clouse (left) and Mike Szablewski from assembling the lunch stand for the St. Joseph Festival.
Early birds can get started at 9 a.m. Saturday when the general store opens in the activity center. The main festival is open 3-11 p.m. Saturday. On the grounds will be attractions such as the Euro-Bungee, Sports Zone, obstacle course, Joust, slide and bounce.
One of the most popular booths is the super raffle with more than 60 prizes. The items this year include Ohio State football tickets from The Advertiser-Tribune; a Wii and a Wii Fit from Dr. James Wilson; a Weber grill from Quick Tab II & Diversified Graphics; Detroit Tiger tickets from Arnold Vending; a $500 tuition credit for Calvert from M J Recruiters LLC; and a Lake Erie fishing trip from Hank Elchert.
Games of skill and chance also are to be available. At 7 p.m. Saturday, a Texas hold 'em tournament gets under way in the Upper Room of the activity center. The buy-in is $35 with no re-buy. The tournament is to continue at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Fact Box
For more information or raffle tickets, call (419) 618-7701 or (419) 618-7519.
Music is another option at the festival.
"Saturday from 4-7 p.m., we're going to have the Red Robin Songwriters. It's a group of fellows with acoustic guitars doing cover songs and some original music. They all belong to the Nashville Songwriters Association International," Szablewski said. "New to the festival is the band Night Hawk, coming in from 8-11 p.m."
Sunday, the festival is open noon-10 p.m. Another new performer, Magic Joe, is slated to perform at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Between shows, he is to be on the festival grounds entertaining guests.
"I think kids and adults will enjoy that," Szablewski said.
Also Sunday will be country and rock music by another new band, Free Wild, from 4-6 p.m. The Late Show plays 7-10 p.m.
Patrons interested in food can find many choices on the grounds both days. Funnel cakes, bratwurst, homemade chicken noodle soup, pie, cake, ice cream and other delectables are to be for sale.
Those who prefer to dine in the air-conditioned school cafeteria can try an Italian dinner at 5 p.m. Saturday, with lasagna, fettuccini alfredo, salad, bread, beverage and dessert. The cost is $6.50 for adults and $3.50 for children age 10 and younger.
Chicken dinners will be served starting at 11 a.m. Sunday. The meal includes baked chicken, homemade buttered noodles, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cole slaw or applesauce, rolls, beverage and homemade dessert. The cost is $8 for adults and $4.50 for children ages 4-10, and $1 for children younger than 4. Carry-out dinners will be available beginning at 11:30 a.m. A drive-through is to be set up Sunday for carry-out dinners.
The festival is to conduct drawings for numerous prizes. The grand prize is $10,000; second prize is $1,500; third is $400; and three prizes of $300 are to be awarded. The super raffle includes a $1,000 gift certificate from Ewald's Furniture and Decker's Furniture and a Whirlpool Duet washer from Phillips Electric.
