St. Pat’s festival kicks off today in Hubbard

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

HUBBARD

Music, food and the chance to win a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro are among attractions at the 52nd annual St. Patrick Church Festival, which opens at 6 p.m. today and runs through Sunday on the church grounds at 357 N. Main St.

“Most of the food is parish produced,” said Bill Fisher, who coordinates the project. Offerings include barbecued ribs, cavatelli and haluski. “We have about 100 volunteers from the parish,” he said.

“There’s a sprinkling of fair stands,” with such foods as corn dogs andlemonade Fisher said.

Pony rides have been added this year. Among the most popular mechanical rides are the Zipper and Pirate. There also will be “kiddie rides” for younger children.

There’s a lineup of bands, with music starting about 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday. The festival opens at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Following June will be featured in the entertainment tent, with Del Sinchak in the church basement Thursday; Hern Brothers Band in the tent and Jack Vasko’s Sounds of Your Life in the basement Friday; and Edison’s Medicine, an ‘80s band, in the tent Saturday.

On Sunday, County Mayo, an Irish band, will play from 1 to 4 p.m., with Ernie’s Valley’s Elvis Show at 6 and The House Band at 8 , all in the tent.

The festival wraps up about 11 nightly.

Proceeds benefit the church’s general operating fund.

Among raffles are chaces for a red 2010 Chevy Camaro, a $10,000 cash prize, installation of a patio and firepit by Horizon Landscaping and an iPod. Raffle tickets are $5.

And, no festival would be complete without bingo, set for 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the church basement.

“It’s all about family fun,” Fisher said of the event. He said attendance is difficult to gauge, but a few thousand people usually attend.