SIDNEY — The 2017 Holy Angels Parish Picnic and Family Festival will be held on Saturday, June 24, from 4 to 10 p.m. at a new location – Lehman Catholic High School, 2400 St. Marys Ave. in Sidney.
Organizers of the event say that the move to Lehman from the Shelby County Fairgrounds came about because of several factors.
“Overhead costs from using the Fairgrounds were starting to pile up so a move had been considered for some time,” said Tom Wiseman, first chair of this year’s festival. “When my fellow committee chairs had out-of-town weddings to attend on Father’s Day weekend when the Parish Picnic has traditionally been held, we wanted to move to the next weekend and the fairgrounds wasn’t available. So we took that as a sign that the time was right to make the move.”
Changing the date also means that the Parish Picnic will not conflict with the Anna Homecoming or the Versailles Poultry Days this year as it has in the past.
“Lehman is an ideal spot because of its proximity to the interstate and it has plenty of space and parking,” said Wiseman. “We will be putting tents on the track and football field area and there are large parking lots on each side of the building. Father Amberger (Holy Angels pastor) wants to emphasize the family-friendly aspect of the event and Lehman works out nicely.”
The festival starting time of 4 p.m. is dictated by the fact that Amberger plans to celebrate Mass in the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Chapel at Lehman at 3 p.m., giving festival goers a chance to satisfy their Sunday Mass obligation before enjoying the activities.
There will be one pre-festival activity in the morning – a Tennis Challenge Tournament on the Lehman tennis courts from 9 a.m. to noon. Organizer Amy West said that there will be singles and doubles competition in advanced and intermediate/beginner divisions. Registration closed on June 12.
Those who attend the Parish Picnic will enjoy the popular cake booth, beer tent, and food. Traditional “Games of Chance” including Big Wheel, Showdown, Blackjack, and Pull-Tabs will be there as well.
Lehman Athletic Director Dick Roll will be on hand to grill his famous chicken dinners and other food items will include pizza, brats, and burgers. For those who prefer an air conditioned place to eat, soup and sandwiches will be available from the concession stand inside the school. Restrooms can be found in the building too.
What will be missing are the carnival rides, but there will be a large tent with games and activities to keep the kids busy throughout the festival.
The activities on campus are geared to family fun, but the real profits from the Parish Picnic come from the annual raffle. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and as always, there is a long list of prizes, topped by five cash prizes of $1,000 each. Many generous donors have again supplied prizes and although most are just varying amounts of cash, there are a few dandy items including a Premium Queen Mattress Set from Goffena Furniture, a $500 gift certificate from Francis Furniture, four tickets to the Columbus Zoo from TAM-FM, a $200 gas card from Vanderhorst Financial Services, and vehicle wash and detailing by Helman Brothers Body Shop.
Raffle tickets are available from any Holy Angels parishioner, at the Holy Angels Rectory or by calling Ticket Chairpersons Nathan and Sarah Liggett at 740-586-4149. Even if you cannot attend the Parish Picnic, you can participate in the raffle because you do not have to be present to win. The drawing will be held at the conclusion of the festival at 10 p.m.
“We know whenever there is change, some people will not come,” said Wiseman. “My prediction is that we will lose some of our public attendance, but many more parishioners will join us this year, maybe out of curiosity. We want the Parish Picnic to be a place where people can see old friends and enjoy a family atmosphere.”
Wiseman’s co-chairs for this year’s event are Chad Sollmann, second chair, and Todd Ratermann, third chair.
