Ninety-degree temperatures, with a heat index of 108 degrees, did not keep people away from the annual July 4 parish festival.
Festival setup of stands began on Saturday, June 30 and continued until Monday, July 2. Many busy hands worked together to get ready for the festival and volunteer workers were served lunch.
Festivities began on Tuesday, July 3, when stands opened at 5 p.m. Various stands including Bingo, the Straw Stand, the cake stand, the linen stand, the Country Store, and the Joe Burger and beer stands.
Brenda Berg-Arnold volunteered at the Straw Stand with her daughter, Anna.
“Our family looks forward to helping at the fourth of July festival,” Berg-Arnold said. “Everyone has their favorite stand. My daughter Anna’s is the straw stand, so each year I come with her to work at this booth.
Steve Carlson volunteered at the Joe Burger stand. He said the heat from the grill made it very hot for the workers grilling the burgers.
A free “Joetown Rocks” concert included bands such as Liverpool Legends, Emma Kay and the Long Way, and Shalo Lee and the Rush River Band. A big crowd of people enjoyed the outdoor concert.
Party goers also witnessed an evening fireworks display.
The festivities continued on Wednesday, July 4 with morning Mass, the parade, live music by “Smok’ N Guns Band,” a quilt auction and a raffle drawing. The St. Joseph Lions parade featured 125 participating units. This year’s grand marshal was Joe Bechtold, who rode in the parade with his wife, Joanne.
