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St. Patrick festival draws people home
Photo
From left, Bill Fisher, St. Patrick’s festival chairman, Joey Fisher, the Rev. Tim O’Neill and Matt Fisher show off the new 2012 Chevy Camaro that will be given to a lucky winner Sunday night. St. Patrick’s annual festival runs Thursday through Sunday at the church in Hubbard.
By Danny restivo
HUBBARD
Matt Fisher has attended the St. Patrick’s Parish Festival since he was a child. Even though he moved to Orlando, Fla., six years ago with his family, he finds time to return to his home for the annual event.
“You can’t keep me away,” said Fisher.
Fisher’s brother, Bill, is the chairman of the festival. He and the rest of the parish are gearing up to celebrate the annual event starting Thursday. The festival will have games, prizes, rides and food and will culminate Sunday night when the winner of a new, “fully loaded,” 2012 red Chevy Camaro is announced.
Though the Camaro raffle has attracted attention, the Rev. Tim O’Neill said the celebration is for Hubbard and the surrounding area.
“This isn’t just for the parish, it’s for the community as well,” said Father O’Neill.
He said the parish was founded in 1869, and support from the community allows the church to have the annual event.
“As other churches are closing, we’re thriving,” he said.
The festival also will have an outdoor, midnight Mass on Saturday night. Father O’Neill has said Mass from a balcony at nearby St. Patrick’s school during the festival for 20 years. He said the Mass is for all the workers who have come together to make the event possible.
“The whole festival is very immersing, and the Mass is just a bonus,” said Bill Fisher, who expects 300 people to attend the service.
The parish has 2,100 members, and many of them will provide food for the four-day festival.
“Most of the food we have will be made by the parishioners,” said Fisher.
The 54th St. Patrick’s festival starts Thursday at 6 p.m. when the Del Sinchak Band takes the church-basement stage. For four days, the festival will have live bands as well as nightly prize giveaways for iPads, televisions and recliners. Raffle tickets for the Camaro can be purchased at the church grounds on North Main Street. Tickets are $5 each or seven for $30.