We are happy to announce that our Fall Festival is returning to All Saints Parish in September with lots of delicious food, fun games and activities for both kids and adults, a silent auction, continuous entertainment for all, and — most importantly — fellowship.
The Silent Auction will kick off the festivities on Saturday, Sept. 23, as well as an adult Bingo Night. The full Fall Festival will take place on the weekend of Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. The Saturday hours are 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. and Sunday hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
“The Fall Festival is important because as a family-friendly event, it brings the various parts of our parish together for fellowship,” says Carolyn Biscula, Festival Chair. “It brings together church and school, younger and older members. Families enjoy the day together, parishioners share a laugh, kids burst with excitement when they win a game and get to choose a prize. There are lots of smiling faces! The Fall Festival provides an opportunity to get to know fellow parishioners and experience, in a very fun way, a sense of community which is so vital to the life of our parish.”
All the activities will be held indoors and outdoors throughout our All Saints church campus — KLC, Fellowship Hall, the gym, courtyard, gazebo, and playing fields.
Although the format remains basically the same, many of the carnival games for the kids will be new this year. Our nursery coordinator will be overseeing games for toddlers, another new activity this year.
The highlight will be the Saturday night headline entertainment which features the band ESCAPE.
“Their show is a musical tribute to the arena rock supergroup, Journey,” Carolyn says. “One of the area’s most highly sought-after bands, they perform at festivals and concert series to crowds who love to sing along and dance to Journey’s timeless music. ESCAPE shows are all about having a fun time for everyone attending.”
The Festival Committee is currently working to fill the open entertainment slots with All Saints talent. The Silent Auction team has been busy putting together an amazing selection of items, with the goal of sparking lots of “bidding wars.”
“Our plan is for greater participation by organizations and ministries, additional food offerings, and more activities for kids and adults,” Carolyn says. “The always-popular Cake Walk, Face Painting, Rosary Making, Wine Toss, Kids Bingo, and Petting Zoo will be returning to this year’s festivities.”
Proceeds from the Fall Festival contribute to funding maintenance and improvement projects.
“The Fall Festival is one of the largest annual fundraisers financially supporting our church and school,” Carolyn says.
By taking part in the Fall Festival, we can fully engage in parish stewardship. Parishioners can be an underwriter, donate to the Silent Auction, serve during the Fall Festival, or simply attend Bingo Night and the Fall Festival itself.
“Each of these demonstrates a commitment to time, talent, and treasure,” Carolyn says. “The Fall Festival fosters parishioner engagement and contributes to the growth of community, which are essential to parish stewardship.”
The Fall Festival would not be possible without volunteers. The Festival Committee will begin recruiting volunteers in late August after Mass.
“We need lots of volunteers!” Carolyn says.
Volunteers can sign up on the All Saints website, allsaintsdallas.org/church/ — just click on “Fall Fest 2023” under “Events.” Teens can volunteer, as well.