Maria Regina to host family festival

The Maria Regina Parish will be hosting its annual Family Festival from June 25 to 28 as a fundraiser for the church and the Maria Regina School.

The festival will take place in the parish parking lot located off of Jerusalem Avenue in Seaford. The festival will be running at various times throughout the four days. On Thursday it goes from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday from 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 3 to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 3 to 10 p.m. The festival will include various rides and games, live music, food and refreshments.

Jim Kalinowski, a festival organizer, says this is a great event for people to come down and get involved with the community. “This is more than just a fundraiser,” he says. “This is also about getting the people together and involved.”

According to Kalinowski, All County Amusements will be providing the games and rides during for the festival. He says that attendees can look forward to enjoying The Zipper, the swings and the Gravitron, along with other rides provided by the service.

Each night will have a different theme. Kalinowski says that Saturday night will be the popular Italian night, which will feature Italian food and other activities. “Last year, Italian night was the biggest night for us,” he said. “It seems to be the most popular night for the festival.”

The first night features a talent show, followed by a dance contest Friday night.

All the proceeds generated from the rides and concessions will go to the school and the parish. After a very successful festival last year, which was attended by an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people, Kalinowski says that the fundraising goal for this year is $75,000.

Not only does this event help raise money for the school and parish, but it also helps boost the enrollment of the school and the number of parish members. Kalinowski says that their new pastor, the Rev. Frank Nelson, better known as Father Frank, has “inspired the congregation.” He estimates that there are well over 100 volunteers helping run the festival.

Following more than six months of preparation, Kalinowski is looking forward to the festival and is anticipating another successful year.

“It is really a great opportunity for people in the parish, and even outside of the parish, to come down and get involved,” he said. “We have a great pastor and parish and would love the support.”