Storm does not cloud ?Days of Yore' festival

Intermountain Catholic

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The Days of Yore Festival had a bingo booth where families could have fun together. It also sponsored a golf tournament June 6 and a 5 k run June 13. The festival usually attracts over 5,000 people.

Sandy — The Days of Yore Festival at St. Thomas More Parish in Sandy did not stop June 12 – 14 despite the rain, wind, and thunders.

The festival is the major social and fundraising event of the parish. The proceeds will go toward the payment for the renovation of the parish center and the construction of a multipurpose center, and will benefit A Child’s Hope Foundation.

The festival usually attracts over 5,000 people, but the weather, the construction site on the west side of the church, and the economy made this number substantially smaller, said Chase Ruhl, who was co-chair of the shuttle service with Doug Nichols.

He said this is the first year the festival offered the shuttle service because the parking space was reduced due to the construction. The parking of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ward next door was available on Friday and Saturday, but not on Sunday. "We wanted to alleviate the problem of people having to walk too far, especially with the bad weather," said Ruhl.

Two vans transported from 200 to 300 people during the weekend. They routed back and forth Danish Road and Creek Road.

Rhul said he received favorable comments about the shuttle service and that depending on the progress of the construction by the same time next year, the festival might offer this service again.

Meanwhile, this year’s festival had traditional and new activities, especially for children.

"Kids are instrumental in motivating parents to go to the festival," said Ruhl.

The festival also had entertainment for an older crowd. It featured Abraxas, a Carlos Santana tribute band and included a bingo booth, mechanical and blow up rides, a masseuse, zumba aerobics, a variety of vendors, and an extensive menu that included homemade sausages, chicken, ribs, hamburgers, hotdogs, and salads.

There were, however, some cutbacks on the menu.

"We usually order 1700 lbs. of sausage, and this year we ordered only 1200 pounds would say there were 500 to 700 fewer people than past years," said Ruhl. "This is very unfortunate if it was due to the weather because it might be raining in Sandy, while it might be dry in Cottonwood Heights," he said.

The 27th Days of Yore Festival held a 5k run and a golf tournament as well.

The bad weather did not stall the golf tournament because the tournment took place the weekend before on June 6 at River Oaks Golf Course in Sandy.

"There was a breeze, but it was clear. It did rain that evening," said Gene Avilla, co-chair of the golf tournament with Trish Bunting.

Seventy-six golfers of all abilities played for the grand prize of festival bottomless mugs that went to the first-place teams. The teams were handicapped using the Ambrose competition method, which enabled the teams to have an equal chance at winning.

"It was a close competition. We had a tie for first place and a three-way tie for third. People really look forward to the tournament," said Avilla.

Those with an athletically affinity gave start to the festival early June 13 with the 5k run, which winded around the neighborhood offering a beautiful view of the Wasatch Front. Trish Malatesta, chair of the run, said 124 people of all ages participated this year.