Festival of Fun Promises to Deliver

If you're looking for family fun this Saturday, the place to go - and the place to be - is where the annual gets underway at 10 a.m. and lasts till 9 in the evening.

It will be preceded by a White Elephant sale at the school auditorium, starting at nine in the morning. Furniture, sporting goods, clothing, household items and electronics are sold.

The Festival's primary purpose is to provide the children with a day of fun with their friends. "The focus is on just giving back to the parish, to the community," said "head carnie" Chris Livermore of St. Anselm's. For the adults, it's a perfect opportunity to work and socialize with other school parents and check out the White Elephant Sale.

For kids, it's the games and rides, including this year eight large carnival rides such as a roller-coaster, tea cups, a "jet plane for the kiddies" and a three-story Ferris wheel.  There's also laser tag and a mechanical bull ride. "It's a hoot," said Livermore.

The entertainment is always a  highlight for the adults, and this year the music on stage includes seven bands, all with local connections. "We have an incredible band lineup once again this year," Livermore said,  including Tender Mercies fresh from their recent tour backing up Counting Crows and appearance at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Tex.

Music schedule is as follows:

• 11:00 - 12:45pm The Hummingbirdz
• 1:00 - 1:45pm Lazy Horse
• 2:00 - 2:45pm The Wild and Vulgar Centaurs
• 3:00 - 4:45pm The Pulsators
• 5:15 - 6:45pm Glenwood Garage Band
• 7:00 - 8:45pm Tender Mercies

This is the seventh year of the Festival of Fun, and again they suggest you "come hungry and try every menu item."  You can find healthy salads and mesquite barbecued burgers, hot dogs and chicken.

There is no admission to the event, though food, drink and ride tickets will be available. For more information on the school website under Festival of Fun.