Preparation for the BasilicaFEST 2023 is underway! This year’s theme is “We are Family!” A family reflects God’s love. It builds and nurtures family relationships. A family supports its members. It gathers together on special occasions. We invite you to gather together for our annual BasilicaFEST next weekend—June 9, 10, 11! Our family time will include an outdoor Mass, Chicken Barbeque, 5K Run/Walk, Theme Basket Raffle, Games, Corn Hole Tournament, Classic Car Show, and live entertainment! Plan to soak up the family atmosphere! Some of the highlights you can look forward to are the Friday Classic Car Show, Saturday Glenn Colton Family Show and Sunday “It’s Magic of Course” Family Show. “We moved the 5K Run/Walk to Gargoyle Park on Sunday during the BasilicaFEST” stated co-chair Jennifer Forney. “Additional attractions will include pony rides, munchkin runs and a Disc Golf Tournament all at Gargoyle Park from 8:00 am to 10:00 a.m.! So get up early, sign up for the 5K Run/Walk between 7:00 am—8:00 am and enjoy extra fun activities with your family.” Top entertainment for our bandstand will cover three days of music including The Generations, Vinny & the Mudflaps, Swift Kick, The Cruisers, Sticktights, The Wild Rovers and OCTaves. Sound is provided over the 3 days by S&B Sound and Production. Throughout the festival you will see many of the same food items, drinks and activities from the past. In addition to the festival menu favorites, our pastor, Fr. John Adams, will be using his mother’s recipe to make halupki aka golabki or you may know them as “stuffed cabbage.” Both halupki and AOH Chicken Dinners will be available Sunday until sold out. Unique homemade dessert selections include homemade pie served on the rectory’s Victorian wrap-around porch, dessert table and Anne Marie’s Baklava. Jennifer Kane, our parish historian, will be offering Basilica Tours Saturday and Sunday. Her 3rd edition of the Basilica’s history book will be available for purchase at the hospitality table. This year’s Saturday 4:00 pm Mass will be outside in Lincoln Park followed by a procession to the Basilica. Sunday morning Masses are at 8:00 am and 11:00 am in the Basilica followed by the annual Corpus Christi procession at noon. Inside the Basilica, festival visitors will have a special opportunity to view an International Vatican Exhibition: Miracles of the Eucharist open during the three days. BasilicaFEST concludes Sunday evening with the drawing for the BIG RAFFLE, a cash raffle that includes a chance to win $10,000 for one lucky winner with $15,000 total cash prizes in the drawing. This staple continues to be an opportunity to take a chance on winning amazing cash prizes while supporting our parish financially. All proceed from BasilicaFEST go towards maintenance and upkeep of the historic basilica built in 1915. Co-chair Jim Tkacik stated, “Thank you to our many sponsors who have assisted with their time, talent, and giving to make this a successful festival.” BasilicaFEST hours: Friday, June 9 from 4 pm - 10:00 pm Saturday, June 10 from Noon - 10:00 pm Sunday, June 11 from Noon - 5:00 pm