November 1, 2006

St. Frances Cabrini Fiesta attracts crowds for 50 years

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Everyone loves a fiesta. One festive celebration anticipated every year by the congregation and the neighborhood is the St. Frances Cabrini Parish Fiesta, which was held for three days starting Oct. 6.

The Soaring Spirit Dance Studio dazzles the crowd with moves that integrate faith and worship into the art.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Fiesta chair Brian Claire. “And it’s the 50th anniversary of the Fiesta. We have bands every night and we’re expecting about 5,000 to 10,000 people to attend. We even have a bocce ball tournament this year. And all the money goes back to the school and church.”

There is something for everyone at St. Frances Cabrini’s annual Fiesta. Besides the carnival rides and games of chance for the kids’ young and old, favorite food tempts and prize-winning raffles may win you an SUV or St. Francis School tuition for a year. And there’s non-stop entertainment with a plethora of local talent featuring dancers, musicians and even karate demonstrations. And each evening everyone taps their toes to the entertainment with the bands “Houserockers,” “Groove Kings” and “Doezn’t Matter.”

“I’ve been attending the Fiesta for five years,” said Barbara Drotar. “My kids and grandkids all come and we really have a great time. It’s really cool.”

Drotar is equally excited about St. Frances Cabrini’s Legacy of Love Ministry of Women that just started, saying “it was very powerful” for the several dozen women who attended.

“I’ve attended [the Fiesta] for six years,” said 17-year-old Andrea Gallant after her solo performance on stage. “But I’ve never danced here. It is really fun.”

Gallant and other dancers performed modern dance steps taught at Soaring Spirit Dance Studio, which features Christian-based wholesome classes that integrate faith and worship with the arts. Director Jamie Parnum coaches her young students before each performance and checks costumes for their entrances. They’re ready for their close-ups with skilled moves and smiles on their youthful faces on the stage in front of the Ferris wheel. Audience members smile and applaud at the end of their performances—many are family members proud of their daughters’ talents.

“We have been going to St. Frances Cabrini Church for five years now,” said mom Edith Csaba-Gallant. “I think we’ve gone to the Fiesta each year. We have six children all together. We go on the rides, sometimes joining with other families we know. But this year was the first time our four girls were dancing so that was our focus.”

The annual Fiesta takes place on the parking lot of the much-loved St. Frances Cabrini Parish. The church was founded by Father Robert Essig in the 1950s and was built in 1963. The house of worship’s humble beginnings started in the red barn that still stands on Camden Avenue. In fact, a few parishioners calling themselves the “red barners” are still parishioners.

But on Fiesta day young and the old play, eat and have fun together. Parents help their tots participate in games of chance, winning prizes of soft stuffed toys. Bumper cars, Ferris wheels and mini bug roller coasters delight the kids and the parents are always ready with to capture the Kodak moments. Thrill seekers find the more adventurous rides and are tossed in the sky in cages and tilt-a-whirls while screams echoe throughout the Fiesta.

“It’s a good time,” said 12-year-old Jordan out of breath after an exciting ride and ready to eat after a fun-filled carnival ride.

Sizzling hot dogs, juicy burgers, nachos, pizza, pepper poppers and a host of tasty goodies tempt the crowd as they sit on the benches enjoying the Fiesta on the warm October day. It’s the St. Frances Cabrini Fiesta where everyone has a good time.