More than 5,000 attended the Knights of Columbus All State Catholic Day at Lagoon

Intermountain Catholic

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St. Peter parishioners Sadie Cisneros (left), and her mother Heidi participate in the pie-eating contest together to give each other support.

FARMINGTON — Traffic was backed up and the lines were long to enter the park from 11 a.m. to almost 2 p.m. for 102nd All State Catholic Day at Lagoon.

People from throughout the Diocese of Salt Lake City participated in the event sponsored by the Cathedral of the Madeleine Knights of Columbus Council 602.

Dick Andrew, Lagoon vice president of marketing, said All State Catholic Day is one of the biggest days for the Lagoon. "This year there were close to 5,500 who participated in this event," he said, adding he has worked with the Knights for 35 years.

The day began with an outdoor Communion service celebrated by Father Robert Moriarty, pastor of Saint Francis Xavier Parish in Kearns. The Communion service was followed by games for all ages with relay races, egg tosses, nail hammering and pie eating contests, raffles and the crowd-favorite: bingo. The winners were awarded prizes.

"This day is terrific for the Catholics in Utah and it gets better every year," said Doro, a member of Saint Ann Parish. "Everybody is so friendly and generous."

This year was the first time the Anderson family from Saint Andrew Parish in Riverton attended All State Catholic Day at Lagoon. As a child James Anderson attended with his immediate family, and decided this year to start a family tradition with his children Hannah, Autumn and Kolbe. His wife, Heidi, had to work.

"Mass was the highlight for us," said James Anderson.

It also was the first year for Fatima and Rich Fisher from Saint Francis Xavier Parish, who came to be with friends Venus Allen and Edda and Steve Nelson from Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish, who have attended many times.

Pat Distel, a member of Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Layton, has been coming to Lagoon on Catholic day for about 40 years. "I used to come with my mother and then when I got married we started bringing our family," she said. "We bring different family members every year. This year I brought my daughter and granddaughter. We especially like bingo and last year I won a tool set."

Her daughter, Jessica Distel, and granddaughter Kylee Anderton had fun on the rides. "We rode five rides in an hour," said Jessica Distel.

Family members Dan, Bill and Michele Williams from Saint Olaf Parish have also been coming on Catholic day for more than 40 years. "It’s a chance to mingle with other Catholics," said Michele Williams.

Dan Williams said when they were children they came with their relatives from Provo.

The Calkins family has been coming for 28 years. They spend the weekend in the nearby campground with at least 30 family members, all from St. Joseph Parish in Ogden.

"It’s a tradition my sisters and I started," said Patricia Calkins. "We make it a family event every year. We love the sausage sandwiches, entering the contests and playing bingo."

Sadie Calkins, 5, won the pie-eating contest in her age group and Elijah Calkins, 10, won the pie-eating contest in his age group for the fourth year in a row. He also won the nail-pounding contest in his age group.

Heidi Cisneros, from St. Peter Parish in American Fork, entered the pie-eating contest for the first time with her daughter, Sadie, who has won five years in a row. They, too make the day a family event. "My sister, Jennifer, comes from California every year," Heidi said.

Aldolfo and Irma Longoria have been coming since 1985. They are members of Santa Ana Mission in Tremonton. "This is a family activity and we have four generations here today," Irma said.

Grand Knight Tom Johnson said the money raised will support various charities.