August is the time when the summer activities are winding down as everyone looks forward to the start of a new school year. But we have one last summer celebration event to enjoy! Join us for the Summer Picnic at the Wadena Fairgrounds on Sunday, Aug. 27. This is a wonderful opportunity for the parishes to come together as one big community and get to spend some time together.
This year, the festivities will kick off with the celebration of Holy Mass at the fairgrounds at 1:30 p.m. After Mass, all are welcome to enjoy games, ice cream, and assorted snacks. Games will include favorites from last year, as well as some new games geared toward teens and adults. People of all ages will enjoy Bingo, Plinko, minnow races, ring toss, gunny sack races, skeeball, Hungry Hippo, and many more! Every player will win a prize! All games, food, and activities are free.
“This is an event for everyone,” says Marilou Heltemes, one of the co-chairs for this event. “We are a large community with our eight parishes. This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to come together as one big Catholic family and just be together. All of the parishes are working together to put this event on for everyone so it is a community effort.”
A delicious meal of sloppy joes, baked beans, chips, pickles, and homemade bars for dessert will be served starting at 4:30 p.m. Beginning at 5:30, a square dancing demonstration will take place with crowd participation to follow. Music will be provided by Cline Connection from 6:30-8 p.m.
One fun addition this year is that parishioners are invited to bring their pride and joy classic cars to display at the fairgrounds for the enjoyment of all. Fr. Aaron will have his 1965 Shelby replica car kit on display during the picnic. This car is a Type 65 Coupe by Factory Five Racing. Fr. Aaron and several parishioners have been working hard to build the car. Tickets for the raffle of this fabulous car will be available with the drawing taking place at a later date. The proceeds from this fundraiser will go to support the seminarians.
One benefit of having this event at the Wadena Fairgrounds is that it can take place rain or shine, so make sure to put it on your calendar. Since we have access to all of the buildings, this celebration of fellowship and community can take place even if the weather is not ideal.
“We are fairly new as a cluster of parishes,” Marilou says. “It is important to bring everyone together in this fun environment. We have different talents and treasures that we all share and together we can do great things for our community.”
Lorie Baron is the co-chair with Marilou this year. She was also a co-chair last year.
“I had such a good time last year!” Lorie says. “The best part was getting to meet new friends in our church community and sharing our love of God. I’m so thankful that now I have friends in other parishes!”
All parishioners are encouraged to come together to celebrate what is so great about our community of parishes — the people. We want everyone to come and have a great time being together and growing in friendship.
For more information about the picnic, visit www.marysacc.org or call 218-631-1593.