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Partly Cloudy St. Anthony’s to host 50th annual feast, 5K celebration
For five decades, St. Anthony’s Parish in Oceanside has attracted thousands to its annual feast. The familiar, family fun hits Anchor Avenue from June 6 to 9 with some new additions for its 50th anniversary.
St. Anthony’s Feast is the parish’s largest fundraiser, said feast organizer John Fellin, and proceeds help fund its ministries, outreach and various programs for people of all ages in the community.
The four-day festival brings in 12,000 to 15,000 attendees and about 500 volunteers, according to estimates from the parish. Fellin noted that the feast does not use concessions, aside from the rides, and local volunteers staff all the food stands and booths.
“I enjoy the camaraderie built up over all the years,” Fellin said, reflecting on his nine years – and counting – chairing the event, and 25 more making and selling zeppoles before that. “It is a lot of work, but I enjoy the friendship. It’s a nice, relaxed event.”
There is no admission fee to the festival. Guests can roam the grounds and enjoy carnival games, rides for all ages, food and live entertainment at their leisure. Kids can also enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo. “It’s a weekend of family fun,” Fellin said. “We keep our prices very reasonable.”
This year, Thursday, June 6 is “Family Night,” and the fair will sell one-price bracelets for all rides. On Friday, June 7, St. Anthony’s will honor Ocean Financial Federal Credit Union, which also celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The non-profit is a longtime sponsor of the feast, along with Towers Funeral Home, Knights of Columbus No. 3481 and the Ladies Auxiliary No. 3481.
Perhaps the biggest addition this year is a 5K Family Fun Run to take place on Saturday, June 8. It kicks off at 9:30 a.m., with check-in at the church at 8:30 a.m. For more information and to register, community members can visit bit.ly/stanthonys5k.
Throughout the entire feast, raffles will be sold, including a “golden ticket raffle” for $50 per ticket. The jackpot can be anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.
On Sunday, June 9, there will be a “Through the Decades” classic car show. It is open to anyone who would like to display their vehicle with a $20 entry fee per car. St. Anthony’s will also hold Sunday mass in honor of Patron St. Anthony with a procession to follow. There will be specials and discounts for fair’s final day, which ends at 9 p.m.
“The feast is a showcase of our parish to the entire community,” Fellin said, “and we welcome them.”
St. Anthony’s Feast is June 6 from 6 to 10 p.m., June 7 from 6 to 11 p.m., June 8 from 4 to 11 p.m. and June 9 from 2 to 9 p.m. at 110 Anchor Ave. in Oceanside.
