Step Up for the SJE Summer Spectacular!

From Funnel Cakes to Fellowship: Find Your Fest Role!

The St. John the Evangelist Summer Festival is back! Running for four fun-filled days at

the parish grounds (9400 Wicker Ave.), this highly anticipated event features carnival

rides, local food, and live entertainment. But, it takes an army of 600-plus volunteers to make the magic happen.

On the heels of Memorial Day—during which we prayerfully took the time to honor the

men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country—it’s time to

pivot. As we dive into Summer, we begin planning for the biggest event on our parish

calendar. Actually, "planning" is an understatement; the masterminds have been plotting

this spectacular four-day extravaganza for months already!

The tents are ordered, the rides are scheduled, and the fryers are ready to fire up. But

now, Fest organizers (led by our fearless event coordinator Sydney Vega) are making the

ultimate call-out. We need you. Yes, you!

It takes more than 600 volunteers to cover the four days of festivities. Whether you are a

master of flipping burgers at a food tent, pouring cold ones in the beer tent, or keeping

the grounds tidy, your help is essential.

Plus, for our SJE school families, volunteering is a great way to log those required

service hours. And for the middle schoolers—yes, you can earn those Confirmation

outreach hours while having a blast in the sun!

Fest Impact: Building (and Paving) Our Future

While the funnel cakes and dizzying midway rides are the main draw, the impact of SJE

Fest is far-reaching. Last year, the festival brought in an astounding $140,000 for the

parish and school. Over the years, these Fest funds—scrupulously allocated by the

Finance Team—have helped with these items and so much more:

● Pave our parking lot

● Put on a shiny new roof on the school

● Fix and maintain the Day Chapel air conditioning

● Keep our school running in tip-top shape

Beyond the modern midway and the carnival games, the parish side of the fest is where

the real community magic happens. Local ministries and businesses will be serving up

grilled meals, fresh corn on the cob, pizza, and our famous elephant ears. You can wash

it all down in the beer tent or grab another beverage while enjoying free live entertainment.

We want to make this festival an active, visible parish event, and we want to see all

ministries proudly represented. There is a special push for volunteers to help run the

games in Trinity Hall, and there is still time for ministries or local businesses to reserve

a spot at a booth!

Please rise to the occasion and do your part. Grab a friend, sign up for a shift, and let’s

make this the best family-focused fun event in St. John yet. Sign up today! sjeevents.org.