St. Joseph the Worker Parish FallFest an all-out effort

Intermountain Catholic

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Dalgliesh String- children's violins bring music and smiles to the St. Joseph The Worker FolkFest, a community-wide carnival that raises funds for parish programs. Below, a harvest moon shines down on the big top where games are played far into the night. The FallFest takes place on the parish's large athletic fields. photo courtesy of St. Joseph the Worker Parish

by Anne Sheppard Kurek

St. Joseph the Worker Parish

WEST JORDAN — St. Joseph the Worker celebrated its ninth annual FolkFest Sept 8-10 in the sports field located behind the church. The weather was fantastic for most of the weekend except for the evening of Sept. 9, which turned windy and cold. This caused the new and much-anticipated fireworks display to be cancelled, but most other activities were moved indoors and the fun continued.

Highlights of the festival included a car show, golf tournament, and horseshoe tournaments. Always-popular big top games were offered both Sept.8 and 9 and many festival-goers walked away laden with prizes. Food booths were busy all weekend selling delicious Mexican food, "secret recipe" bar-b-que chicken dinners, and burgers & brauts.

There was something for everyone at the FolkFest. Children attended "Kids Night Out" Sept. 8, with movies, crafts, and games. The fun continued throughout the weekend with new kids’ games, pony rides, mini-golf, and a magician. Special activities were also planned for young people ages 12 to 19 under the youth pavilion and included live music by teen band Greenstem, free popcorn and soda, and the company of other teens.

Folk entertainment included performances by the Claddagh Dance Co., Dalgleish Strings- children’s violins, the Salt Lake Scots, as well as musical entertainment by Four on the Floor, jazz by On Higher Ground and parishioner John Allen. Mass was celebrated outdoors Sept. 10 beneath the colorful canopy and was followed by a country breakfast.

St. Joseph the Worker Pastor Father Patrick F. Carley said he was very pleased with this year’s festival.

"What I like best about this event is the great cooperation and participation of so much of the parish," he said. "This has grown year by year. Just about everyone in the parish is involved in the FolkFest in one way or another. That is the great fruit of the festival."

In spite of the hard work and long hours that go into this yearly festival, parishioners seem happy to volunteer and be a part of the special event.

"This makes all the difference," said Fr. Carley. "The festival fleshes out the saying that the Lord loves a cheerful giver. Everyone there was in good spirits. They were joyful, filled with laughter and fun. It is a wonderful sign of parish community."

Next year’s festival will be the 10th anniversary festival. St. Joseph the Worker Parish plans to pull out all the stops to make this landmark event a true celebration of cooperation, friendship, and good old-fashioned fun, not only for St. Joseph parishioners but for the entire community.