FRYBURG, Pa. (EYT) — One of Clarion County’s longest standing traditions will be celebrated on Labor Day at the St. Michael Church of Fryburg’s Annual Labor Day Picnic held on the parish grounds located at 18765 Route 208.
(Pictured above: Tim Gilara, center, who donated a calf to be raffled at the St. Michael the Archangel Labor Day picnic in Fryburg on Monday. Also pictured are Michael and Brad Beichner with the starter feed kit donated by Sandy Ridge Farms, owned by Bernard and Mark Beichner)
St. Michael Church has been hosting its Labor Day picnic for more than a century.
A special feature of this year’s event will be a raffle for a calf that was donated by Tim Gilara of Twin Hollow Farms in Fryburg. The drawing will be held at the picnic. The raffle winner will also get a starter feed kit donated by Sandy Ridge Farms.
Tickets are just $1.00. At last year’s event, the raffle raised more than $1,200.00 to support the church.
Labor Day Loot tickets will be available on the grounds or in advance at the church rectory or at various local businesses. A variety of frozen meats will also be raffled.
Call the parish rectory at 814-354-2467 for more information.
The picnic begins at 11:00 a.m. with an all-you-can-eat chicken or ham dinner until 3:00 p.m. The cost is $9.00 for adults, $4.50 for children, and preschoolers’ meal is free.
Events continue until 5:00 p.m. with games of skill and chance, homemade quilt raffles, a candy booth for the kids, concessions, and cash prizes.
The picnic will be held rain or shine.
History of the Labor Day Picnic
On July 23, 1898, Father August Hoeing became pastor of St. Michael Church. Early in his pastorate, he began the now famous Labor Day Picnic. It was held in the Ginkel hickory grove, and the food was then the main attraction.
The women of the parish provided baskets of chicken, cookies, cakes, and pies. Tables were set up in the grove, and the food was served from the house.
A few stands sold fancywork and trinkets, but the most often remembered was the stand selling bologna.
A large pavilion was built for dancing, and Peter Ginkel, playing a handcrafted violin, often provided the music.
Eventually, the crowd swelled, and the grove became too small. The picnic was moved to its present location adjacent to the parish hall.
Schedule of Events
10:00 a.m. – Dinner ticket sales will open. Dinner tickets are also available for purchase in advance at the parish rectory office. Call the rectory at 814-354-2467 for more information.
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – The traditional all-you-can-eat chicken and ham dinners will be served, featuring homemade noodle soup, breads, and desserts. Takeouts will also be available.
11:00 a.m. – Grounds will open featuring games of skill and a chance for all ages to win. Booths include a Chinese auction, baked goods, candy, and great prizes for the children. A cornerstone attraction is the quilt booth. Handmade quilts, donated by members of the Rosary Society of St. Michael Church, will be awarded in drawings held throughout the day. A concession stand will also be open for lighter fare including hot dogs and beverages.
12:00 p.m. – Called number games will begin on the upper floor of the social hall and will continue throughout the afternoon.
4:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m. – Labor Day Loot grand prizes will be drawn. The featured prizes are five $1,000.00 cash prizes; a $500.00 cash prize from Faller Funeral Home, Inc., Fryburg; a Porch Swing from Lander’s Inc., Lucinda; one overnight stay at Wildflower Meadow Bed & Breakfast; one overnight stay at The Clarion House Bed & Breakfast; a $100.00 Savings Accounts from First United National Bank, Fryburg; a $100.00 Gift Certificate to Comet Food Warehouse, Clarion; and a $100.00 Gift Certificate to Clarion Builders Supply, Clarion.
