Parishes

Festival features Filipino food, Bolivian dancers, German beer hall

Ann M. Augherton | Catholic Herald Managing Editor

A minitrain offers a ride at the St. Ann Jubilee Festival in Arlington Sept. 24. ANN M. AUGHERTON | Catholic Herald

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The Beer Garden serves up brats, hot dogs and burgers during the parish festival at St. Ann Church Sept. 24. ANN M. AUGHERTON | Catholic Herald

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Bolivian dancers entertain the festival goers. ANN M. AUGHERTON | Catholic Herald

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The parish history walk uses a QR code to take visitors around the campus on a history tour. ANN M. AUGHERTON | Catholic Herald

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An inflatable pumpkin is one of the attractions for kids at the parish festival. ANN M. AUGHERTON | Catholic Herald

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Thanakorn Rasmeloungon performs with Tinkus Bolivia USA during the St. Ann Jubilee Festival in Arlington Sept. 24. ANN M. AUGHERTON | Catholic Herald

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The Beer Garden serves up brats, hot dogs and burgers during the parish festival at St. Ann Church Sept. 24. ANN M. AUGHERTON | Catholic Herald

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Smokes rises of the grill as (from left) Bob Thomas, Pat Ryan and Steve Willenbucher grill brats, burgers and hot dogs. ANN M. AUGHERTON | Catholic Herald

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The cake walk featured dozens of desserts including a festive fall cake and one marked with 75 for the parish jubilee. ANN M. AUGHERTON | Catholic Herald

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Bolivian dancers entertain the festival goers. ANN M. AUGHERTON | Catholic Herald

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To celebrate the parish’s 75th anniversary, the jubilee festival put out quite a spread.

The weather cooled just enough to give the parish fall festival that autumnal feel. Marking 75 years and showcasing the multicultural makeup of the parish, the jubilee festival drew a crowd to the St. Ann Parish complex in Arlington Sept. 24.

Missionhurst Father Mel Portula, pastor, roamed around the festival wishing parishioners a happy 75th anniversary. “I’m waiting for the dancers,” he said in the school hall. “Have you tried the Filipino food?” A native of the Philippines, he said, “I’ll see you there.”

In addition to local restaurant fare — Peruvian chicken, pizza and Lebanese favorites — the Hispanic community sold empanadas, pupusas and roasted corn, while the Filipino community served a roasted pig with sides.

Inflatable rides, a minitrain, dunk tank, and face and hair painting were just some of the attractions for kids. Cozy knitted items handmade by refugees, a parish history exhibit, an online silent auction and a cake walk featuring dozens of desserts drew all ages.

Dancers from Tinkus Bolivia USA performed in multicolored native garb while the three-piece Smylin’ Jack Band turned the volume in the school courtyard way up. Nearby volunteers grilled brats, hot dogs and burgers.

The following day, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated a special Mass at the church to mark the parish jubilee and World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The blending of both themes was perfect for a culturally diverse parish.

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