St. Rocco Feast — August 18

St. Rocco Church kicks off its annual Feast and Festival tonight at 6 p.m., the result of months of preparation by more than 100 people.

"We start planning for the Feast around the first of the year," explained Richard Montella, one of the event's main organizers, during a recent interview. "We do member meetings and then begin meeting with the different groups who handle different parts of the Feast."

This year, all of the key components of the Feast — food, raffles, entertainment, and the beer garden — are being housed under one roof, a huge 80-by-160-foot tent

Here are the details for the St. Rocco Feast and Festival's opening night, August 18:

Where: St. Rocco Church, 929 Atwood Ave., Johnston

When: 6 to 10:30 p.m.

Parking: Two parking lots are available near the feast site and along both sides of Atwood Avenue.

Tickets: All rides and food require tickets, available for purchase under the main tent.

Note: Cash or check only. No credit or debit cards accepted. See map for nearest banks and ATMs.

Ride Ticket Deal: From 6 to 7 p.m. tonight, strips of 24 ride tickets will be available for $14, and can be used all weekend.

Entertainment: DJ Ray Arruda takes the stage to spin the hits from 6 to 10 p.m. Rides for children and adults and games of chance, provided by Amron Family Fun Fare, are located to the rear of St. Rocco School.

Raffles: Take your chance at the Straw Draw booth, hosted by the St. Rocco Womens Guild, and be sure to visit the raffle booth and buy a ticket for the chance to win up to $5,000 in cash.

Watch JohnstonPatch for daily listings of performers, ticket deals, and attractions through the weekend of the St. Rocco Church Feast and Festival.