LUCINDA, Pa. (EYT) — Mason Zacherl (pictured above) of Lucinda went home a happy winner at the 2017 4th of July Celebration.
Over $40,000 in cash and prizes, including over 15 handmade quilts, are ready to be awarded during this year’s event which features an all-you-can-eat dinner, games of skill and chance, live entertainment and more.
St. Joseph’s 79th Annual 4th of July Celebration, Clarion County’s oldest Independence Day event, will be held on July 4 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on the Parish grounds in Lucinda, Pa.
The event features their traditional all-you-can-eat chicken and ham dinners, games of skill and chance for all ages, quilt tent, called-number games, live entertainment and a grand prize drawing worth over $10,000.00 in cash and prizes.
As a post-festival finale, St. Joseph’s Liberty 5K Run/Walk will take place on July 7 at 9:00 a.m. at the historic Lucinda Train Station.
Known for generous-sized portions, nearly 2,000 home-cooked meals are served each July 4th and include homemade pie and soup with their famous homemade noodles. The dining room will be serving from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.; takeouts will be available from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Dinner ticket sales will begin at 10:00 a.m. Dinner prices are adults: $9.00 children six to 12: $4.50 and children under six: Free. Sheltered picnic tables will be available for those who opt to eat outdoors.
The grounds will open at 11:00 a.m. and feature diverse games of skill and chance for adults and children, an extensive Chinese auction, prize drawings, and a concessions stand. The Chinese auction will be held in the lower level of the pre-school building again this year to better accommodate its size.
A cornerstone attraction is the quilt tent where a minimum of 15 handmade quilts is slated to be awarded in drawings held throughout the day, with an additional quilt offered at the Rosary Society booth and three more featured in a silent auction. Depending on size and design, each quilt averages 100 to 200 hours to complete and holds an estimated retail value of between $750.00 and $950.00, making this event one of the largest quilt giveaways in Clarion’s tri-county area. A limited number will be available for purchase and a preview of the quilts is available at www.st-joseph-lucinda.org.
Entertainment will begin at 11 a.m. with artists located on the main grounds and at the outdoor dining area. Among the musicians scheduled to perform during the first half of the festival are Keep Off The Grass of West Sunbury featuring traditional bluegrass music, and world-renowned balafon, djembe, and kora player Tasana Camara of Oil City playing music from his homeland country of Guinea in West Africa. The afternoon hours will bring traditional Irish and Scottish folk music performed by the Clarion area group Cluricaun, and Picks & Hammers of Edinboro featuring Americana and traditional Appalachian Mountain music. The day’s performances will conclude with Gravel Lick, a bluegrass band with a non-traditional flair.
Called-number games will begin at noon in the lower level of the social hall and will continue throughout the afternoon. Three special games will be held at 12 noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The grand prize drawing is scheduled for 4 p.m. and features a $5,000.00 cash prize, gift certificates, other major cash awards and a YETI Tundra cooler. There will also be a Junior Grand Prize ticket drawing featuring prizes for children and tweens.
Altogether more than $40,000.00 in cash and prizes is to be awarded with proceeds from the day’s events benefiting St. Joseph Catholic School, one of the oldest Catholic schools in the Erie Diocese. The school provides quality educational programs to children enrolled in Pre-K through sixth grade each year.
The celebration will be held rain or shine on the canopy-covered parish grounds. The children’s playground is adjacent to the festivities and St. Joseph Church, erected in 1893, will be open to visitors. The parish complex is located at 112 Rectory Lane along Rt. 66 in Lucinda (I-80 Exit 60, Rt. 66 north 10 miles) and is a short drive from Cook Forest State Park. The grounds are handicap accessible. Parking areas surround the grounds and a parking shuttle will be available. Reserved parking spaces will be available for those who cannot attend the festival but want to purchase a carry-out dinner.
For more information visit www.st-joseph-lucinda.org, Facebook @stjoseph4thofjuly or call 814-226-7288.
Liberty 5K Run/Walk
Registration for the Liberty 5K Run/Walk begins at 7:30 a.m. on July 7 at the restored train station. Now in its 5th year, the race will start nearby at 9:00 a.m. on the Rail 66 Country Trail. The non-motorized four-season trail currently stretches 4.3 miles through the scenic countryside of northern Clarion County on the historic Knox-Kane railroad bed and has been paved with a runner-friendly surface.
The run will be held rain or shine and entertainment will be provided by Absolute Clarion DJ Services. The Lucinda Train Station is located at 1040 Lander Drive in Lucinda and can be accessed via Maple Drive, which is the first left immediately following St. Joseph Church on Rt. 66 N.
Pre-registration is encouraged and forms are available at www.st-joseph-lucinda.org/fourthofjuly, Facebook @StJoesLiberty5K, www.smileymiles.com or by calling 814-226-7288.
Proceeds benefit St. Joseph School.
