Laughter and smiles flowed freely through the hall and grounds of St. Anthony of Padua Church in King George Nov. 11. The third annual All Saints Barrel Blessing event for St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church and the St. Anthony of Padua Mission drew a crowd of more than 200 making it their biggest parish fundraiser of the year.
The festivities started the night before with an overnight pig roast and kicked off with the Litany of All Saints led by Father Francis M. de Rosa, pastor, in the church hall.
The price of admission allowed guests to enjoy a plethora of craft and artisan tents, local farmers and beekeepers, tasty BBQ, homecooked food and desserts. For an additional donation, guests could participate in the pie- and bourbon-tasting competitions. Children painted Veterans Day-themed art to honor those who served in the military.
The festival was first held in 2021 as a way to heal from the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to event organizer Amy Reese.
“A good friend of mine, Bernadette Barber, inspired this,” said Reese. “She said, ‘You really just have to go back to the wholesome, tried and true, parish community events that you know work. The traditions of having your homemade products and things you can make. Providing a venue for parishioners as well as community crafters.’ ”
The event’s name and barrel artwork are nods to the tasting contest and prevalence of distilleries and craft breweries in the area. As organizers strategized to draw the largest crowd possible, they reached out to local breweries who donated whiskey barrels for donation. The theme emerged, drawing more than just the regular Massgoers.
“It’s a very fun event because it involves a lot of people in and outside the parish,” said Father de Rosa. “So, it gives us some exposure.”
Surrounded by the sights, smells and sounds of the festival in full swing, it was hard to believe the event was almost canceled.
“When summer came around, I wasn’t sure if we could do it,” said Reese. “But our parish is amazing. People really stepped up. I believe in being a ‘fiat’ person. I don’t subscribe to the cultural norm of ‘learning to say no.’ I hear that too much. Instead, learn to say, ‘yes’ when it is good for the people in your parish.”
Of course, that doesn’t mean taking on everything.
“Ask, ‘What can I do?’ ” said Reese. “If all you can do is make a loaf of bread or pray, that is where you see the miracles.”
One of those “miracles” or pleasant surprises came this year in the form of the festival’s main menu item — a 300-pound pig. Unbeknownst to the parish, the Kotula family was raising the pig with the church in mind. They surprised organizer and Amy’s husband, Dave Reese, with the news the day he was scheduled to call the butcher.
As the sun set behind the trees, tables were cleared for the last event of the evening, the parish dance. All ages enjoyed the festivities, with the older dancers instructing the next generation in popular square and swing dances — a welcome addition to a growing festival tradition.
Kassock is a freelancer in Fredericksburg.
