FOSTORIA - St. Wendelin Parish in Fostoria is bringing back its annual festival on the grounds at 533 N. Countyline St. for three days - 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, 4 p.m.-midnight Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.
A 5K run/walk to honor the memory of Steve Gillig, former track and cross country coach, steps off at 6 p.m. Friday. Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m. at the corner of St. Wendelin High School for this combination route of road and light trail. No pets or strollers are to be accepted. The cost is $20.
Age groups include 10 and younger; 11-15; 16-20; 21-30; 31-40; 41-50; 51-60; and 61 and older. The top male and female will receive awards, as will the top three per age group.
A portion of the proceeds generated by the run/walk will go to the school's cross-country teams.
Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m. at the northwest corner of St. Wendelin High School, with the race starting at 6. After the race, Rusty Vinyl is to perform 7:30-11:30 p.m.
A golf outing Saturday at Loudon Meadows Golf Club will offer prizes. Members of the winning team of four-person scramble are to each take home a $100 gift certificate to the golf club. Hole-in-one awards will consist of golf artwork, a set of irons, a trip to Memphis and, the top prize, a two-year, no-cost lease on a 2012 Ford Fusion through Reineke Family Dealerships.
The main festival opens at 4 p.m. Saturday when a Mexican dinner is to be served until sold out. The cost is $7.50 for adults and $4 for children ages 5-17. A Texas Hold 'em poker tournament begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Bingo players can try their luck Saturday 6-11 p.m. and Sunday 1-6 p.m.
Rutherford Country is to provide music 7:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday.
After raising more than $7,000 last year, the Collector's Corner is back in the school gymnasium Saturday and Sunday. This attraction is similar to a rummage sale.
Two anonymous donors are donating the $10,000 grand prize raffle. The drawing is at 7 p.m. Sunday. Sharon Cool, one of the festival organizers, said Saum's bratwurst is to be sold throughout the weekend.
Additional food vendors also are to be present as attendees enjoy music, games, rides and more.
Sunday's highlights include a chicken dinner 11:30 a.m. until sold out at a cost of $6 for a quarter-chicken and $8 for a half-chicken; "family hours" 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. with discounted children's ride tickets (the beer tent will open after that); corn hole tournament sign-up at 12:45 p.m. and games begin at 1.
DJ Kevin Yost is to
perform 4-7:30 p.m. Sunday.
The festival is a major fundraiser for the school, with proceeds offsetting the cost of tuition. Parents of students are expected to work one or more shifts.
