St. Patrick's in Inver Grove Readies for 2013 Fall Festival

The Church of St. Patrick in Inver Grove Heights is preparing for its Fall Festival September 12-15.  

This is the parish’s largest annual community-building event, and everyone is welcome.

The festival kicks off Thursday with the Attic Treasures Rummage Sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring “gently used items in clean and good condition, including household goods, toys and books.” The committee is requesting that no clothes, exercise equipment or large furniture be donated. The rummage sale continues on Friday, (same hours), and wraps up Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Weekend festivities begin on Friday evening with a Beer and Wine Tasting event, with live music and pull tabs, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in Shamrock Hall. Advance sale tickets, at $20 per person, are available after all Masses and from the parish office. Admission at the door will be $25. 

Saturday’s events include the rummage sale, a Mass at 4 p.m., and a Taco Dinner (with beer and margaritas available) starting at 5 p.m.  Bingo, pull tabs, a live auction, Irish Yat-zee and other games and activities also will be part of the evening.

Sunday gets underway around noon, and includes the Festival Food Court, featuring a roast pork dinner, pasta bar, pizza, brats, hot dogs, popcorn, chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, soft drinks, a beer tent, milk, coffee and more. Sunday’s activities also feature the Country Store, cookie and bar walk, silent auction, bingo, Irish Yat-zee, pull tabs, numerous adult and children’s games and bottle shop. There will be a Cash Raffle Drawing at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Sunday will also be the 15th Annual Classic Motor Show, from noon to 5 p.m. (set-up begins at 10 a.m.), with an award ceremony at 4 p.m. Three trophies will be awarded by ballot for Best of Show, Spectator’s Choice, and Pastor’s Choice. (Motorcycles will not be included in this year’s show.) Registration is $10 per car, and dash plaques are available for the first 50 cars that arrive.  For more information, contact Sonny and Shirley Willenbring, 651-453-0770 (or sswillenbring@comcast.net) or Dave and Kathy Barclay, 651-335-3119 (or dkbarclay972@gmail.com).

The festival is held on the parish grounds at 3535 72nd St. Clayton Ave. in Inver Grove Heights. From the north and south on Highway 52, exit at 70th Street, then travel east to Clayton Avenue, then right to the church. If interested, stop at the entrance to register your car for the show.