Last year's amusements show just some of the fun provided by St. Martha Parish's lawn fete.

This summer St. Martha Parish, the merged parish of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and St. Barnabas, will hold its first lawn fete in July.

“Even though it’s under a new name, it was formerly the OLBS lawn fete,” said chairperson Sue Kucewicz. “Hopefully people recognize that and know that we’re still there only bigger and better now.” 

St. Martha’s lawn fete, which will take place from Friday, July 27, until Sunday, July 29, will offer games, rides and even two separate venues for live entertainment, including live bands on each day of the lawn fete.

“The entertainment, like at Coughlin’s Pub, is geared more toward a little older crowd,” Kucewicz said. “In the beer tent, it’s geared more toward younger people (with) the rock bands and things like that.”

Another change the lawn fete will have is more food options. While still serving staples like hotdogs, hamburgers, ice cream and cotton candy, this year’s lawn fete will offer a seafood shanty with clams and clam broth. 

As with any good lawn fete, there will be rides and games. Special armbands for rides will be available for purchase. Individual ride tickets will also be sold. Additionally, the parish will offer a variety of games for all ages.

“It’s family friendly. There’s lots of games,” Kucewicz said. “We will have a lot of different booths.” 

Kucewicz highlighted a goldfish booth where players throw ping pong balls to win a fish, a penny candy booth and bell jar booths for blankets and groceries. Pull tabs and prize wheels will also be offered. 

Other happenings at St. Martha’s lawn fete include a Chiavetta’s chicken barbecue on Sunday from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., and a cash raffle with a $10,000 grand prize. 

Aside from providing a good time, the lawn fete is important to St. Martha Parish for bonding and fundraising, said Kucewicz.

“It’s nice for the parish community because it brings everyone together for a common purpose, which is to work for the parish itself and to support the parish,” she said. “It’s one large event where it brings everyone – all age groups and people from all different ministries – together to work for the parish as a fundraiser.”

Kucewicz said the lawn fete is also beneficial for the surrounding community. 

“They get to know the parish and some of the people in the parish better,” she said. “We offer some entertainment that they can take advantage of, while also trying to be respectful to the people in the neighborhood with some of the times that we close and some of the music and things that we offer.” 

The lawn fete will be open Friday 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday 1 p.m. to midnight and 1 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. It will be held rain or shine. 

“It’s all paved area, so rain or shine, things are all under tents,” Kucewicz said. “It doesn’t get muddy or messy if it rains.”

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