Mock turtle soup a favorite at Fryburg Homecoming

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FRYBURG — Featuring their famous mock turtle soup, parishioners of St. John’s Catholic Church in Fryburg are putting the final touches for their 127th annual Fryburg Homecoming set for this weekend.

For those wishing to take a more physical role in the weekend, the festivities begin with two events early Saturday, Sept. 2, according to organizer Cindy Koenig.

The 25-mile Mock Turtle Bike Ride begins at 7:30 a.m. with registration opening at 6:30 a.m. at the church. Cyclists will travel to St. Lawrence Church in Rhine, then to Immaculate Conception Church in Botkins, finishing at St. Joseph Church in Wapakoneta. A portion or the entire route may be biked during the event.

At 8 a.m., the 5K Mock Turtle Run begins at the church. Registration will commence at 7 a.m. Awards and cash prizes will be handed out for the top three males and females in each age group.

From 4 to 11 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3, the festival will feature rides, games, free kiddie train ride, kiddie tractor pull, and Bingo. The food offerings include mock turtle and chicken noodle soups, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, brats, hot dogs, homemade pies, and ice cream.

Organizers report hourly attendance raffle ticket drawings will be held. The 50/50 drawing and other raffles will be at 10:30 p.m. The raffle features a total of $11,127 in prizes including a $1,000 grand prize raffle at 11 p.m.

Matt Dietz will provide musical entertainment from 8 to 11 p.m.

A painting created by the late Rev. Lawrence Tebbe will be a featured item in the raffle drawing.

Every year, Tebbe would paint a picture giving those who attended the Homecoming a chance to buy a raffle ticket to win the painting. The only way a person could acquire one of Tebbe’s paintings was either by winning one at the Homecoming, being a relative of Father, or a parishioner or friend who helped him on one of his projects. Reportedly, Tebbe never sold a painting.

Established in 1850, St. John’s Church is 167 years old this year. The Homecoming was originally held on Labor Day to help raise funds for maintenance on the church. According to church history, the festival was changed to the Sunday before Labor Day by Tebbe so that people could go fishing.

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Doug Greve, of rural Fryburg, stirs a cauldron of mock turtle soup at the 2016 Fryburg Homecoming festival. This year’s festival will be held Sunday, Sept. 3, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fryburg.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/08/web1_SDN090716FryburgFest.jpgDoug Greve, of rural Fryburg, stirs a cauldron of mock turtle soup at the 2016 Fryburg Homecoming festival. This year’s festival will be held Sunday, Sept. 3, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fryburg.
Annual festival planned for Sunday, Sept. 3

By Jim Painter

For the Sidney Daily News

The writer is a regular contributor to the Sidney Daily News.

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