Slideshow: St. John Vianney Festival Opens

For Mary Kovach, it just wouldn’t be summer without the Festival. The 28th annual event began Thursday evening and runs through Sunday night at 7575 Bellflower Road.

 “This is my 17th year (working as a volunteer),” said Kovach, who serves on the Festival’s Core Committee. “What makes this festival special is that just about everything is made by our parishioners. All of these booths and all of these rides here have been made by parishioners, and everyone who works here as volunteers are either parishioners, their families or their friends.”

In addition to Kovach, the Festival Core Committee members who work to organize the event for more than eight months include Joe and Sue Manning, Rick and Marge Beatty, Dianna and Kurt Winter, Connie Frustere, Dave Koons, Ann Caresani, Cindy Lentz, Ed Rowlands, Ana Garcia Snider, Julie Slattery and Phyllis Hinkel.

“Thursday is our work-out-the-kinks day,” said Kovach. “Last year the crowds were a little light because of the economy. So it is going to be interesting to see what happens this year. There’s good food, good entertainment, and it’s a safe and friendly place to be for all families."

In addition to dozens of games and children's rides, the festival features popular musical groups. On Thursday, the Swingtime Big Band performed hits from Frank Sinatra, James Brown, Bo Diddley and B.B. King.

Other groups scheduled to perform are Pieces of Eight on Friday and Elivis and the TCB Band of Ohio on Saturday. On Sunday the musical  groups, Annabelle Road and the Don Wojtila Polka Band will perform.

On Friday the festival runs from 6 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, 4 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Admission and parking are free.