St. Francis announces “Summer in the City” festival

Inspired by a letter to a local newspaper, St. Francis de Sales Parish has organized a summer festival next month. Dubbed “Summer in the City”, the festival accents through food, music and dance the church’s diverse membership.

The August 7-8-9 festival will present professional music bands from two stages, ranging from Bluegrass to Mariachi to Tex-Mex and Contemporary sounds.

Food and beverages familiar to the parish’s Anglo-Hispanic-Asian membership will also be available to festival-goers, along with family games and activities.

On Sunday August 9 the festival will feature“Taste of the City” with offerings from some of Holland’s favorite restaurants. Beer and wine will be available during the festival’s entire three day run along with soft drinks, water and other beverages.

“We are excited to share the expression of our many cultures with the residents and visitors of the Holland-Zeeland area,” commented Rev. Fr. Charlie Brown, St. Francis’ Pastor. “During Tulip Time, one newspaper letter writer suggested Holland would benefit from a summertime festival. Our church members decided to take-up the challenge,” he added.

Brown and the festival’s co-chairs, Shawn Byrne and Luis Rebedello, said the intent is for the celebration to be an annual event, but a final decision will be made after this year’s celebration concludes.

“With the state of the economy and the June storm deluge, we all could use a little festival to brighten our summer,” Byrne and Rebedello said. “Our parish, a community of many united in faith, wants to share all of that with our larger Holland-Zeeland area,” they added.

Proceeds of the Sunday “Taste of the City” will be shared with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holland. The proceeds of the other two days will benefit the church which, like other non-profits, has seen a noted decline in donations. Tickets are $5 in advance, $6 at the door; family passes are $20 in advance.

The schedule of events is:

Friday, August 7

4 pm -- Opening Prayer

4-8pm Who Hit John?, a popular Bluegrass band from Kalamazoo, on the outdoor stage. details at www.myspace.com/whohitjohn5

· Foods of St. Francis, including offerings of American, Mexican, Filipino, Vietnamese and Thai cultures.

· Children’s and Family Games

· Entertainment tent opens

· 50-50 Raffle tickets on sale

6-10 pm In the big tent. Mary Rademaker, a dance party featuring Mary and the Rad Pack, with Mark Kahney on the keyboards (www.MaryRad.com)

Saturday, August 8

12:00 noon -- Opening Prayer

· Foods of St. Francis, including offerings of Mexican, American, Vietnamese, filipino, and Thai cultures.

· Children’s and Family Games

· Entertainment tent (beer and wine) opens to 10 pm

· “Summer in the City Classic Car Show”, 13th and Maple Streets; through 5 pm. Best in show awards.

2–4:40 pm “Holland’s Got Talent” competition, accompanied by Wally Michaels Duo, Emceed by Diego, 12 finalists will take the outdoor stage, competing for $500 prize. Judging will be based 50/50 on votes of the judges and the audience.

6–10pm Julian Martinez Band – A Tex-Mex dance party with a local Holland favorite – a mix of Mexican and country music.

Sunday, August 9

9:30 am “Taste of the City” opens with Breakfast offered by Margarita’s and Coffee and Donuts with Holland Lions Club.

12 noon Entertainment and beverage tent opens

“Taste of the City” continues with

· Village Inn Pizza

· Thai Palace

· Margarita’s

· Blue House Bistro – Creole

· Frosty’s

2–5 pm Son de Mexico, The best Mariachi music in West Michigan

Comes from our own outstanding Holland Group, performing on the outside stage.

3:30 pm to 6:30 pm Wally Michaels Band – Returns – Look for a few guest artists to join Wally & Company ion afternoon of top 40 and jazz favorites.

5:30 pm 50-50 Raffle Drawing

6:30 pm Closing Prayer

http://festival.stfrancisholland.org/