St. James Fall Festival And Turkey Dinner Makes A Much-Anticipated Return “Enjoy A Meal With Us”

One thing the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us is to not take the simple things in life for granted. A crisp autumn day where we can gather as friends and family will most certainly be a welcome event! We are blessed to have just such an event on the horizon, as St. James brings back the annual Fall Festival on Sunday, Oct. 3.

Longtime parishioner Joann Evjen says the highlight of the day will be the Turkey Dinner, an annual favorite. The dinner will be structured to allow for quicker take-out meals from the Education Center, meaning there will be four lines instead of two. The main hall of the basement will be used for dine-in seating.

“In 2019, we served a total of 800 people, with 500 of those being take-out meals,” Joann says.

The take-out meals are helpful for everyone working in the fields for harvest. The Turkey Dinner accounts for the largest portion of the money raised each year at this event — the raffle is the second-highest revenue generator.

The Fall Festival is not just a fundraiser — it’s also a chance to gather with St. James and the rest of the Holy Family Area community. There is fun for the kids and a chance to come together with old friends and make new ones. The popular country store, kid games, and raffle will take place. There will also be Bingo and a “Sweets Walk,” like the popular Cake Walk with a larger variety.

Many St. James parishioners look forward to the Fall Festival event each year. Joann is just so happy to see this event return for 2021 after it was canceled last year due to the pandemic.

“Last year it was a loss to building community,” she says.

Joann is especially thankful that the community and other Holy Family Area parishioners show up to support the parish. She is also proud to work with fellow parishioners to continue the tradition of the dinner, which started as a chicken dinner in 1957. Joann thinks about 600 people were served at that very first dinner, and she hopes everyone will come for this year’s meal. It will include the famous cranberry salad, turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and gravy. The meals will be first come, first serve.

“There are always people who come to church dinners, no matter what and no matter where,” Joann says. “Come out and enjoy a meal with us!”

Please join St. James for the Fall Festival and Turkey Dinner, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3. Each meal costs $11. Meals for 5 and under are $5.