It offers two days of wholesome family-friendly activities and attractions. Bill of fare includes popular American carnival food plus a wide variety of ethnic palate-pleasers such as fresh-fried lumpia, tacos, and pizza. Continuous entertainment on stage features local talents with music and dance performances for the whole family.

All of that and more for a free admission at the gate.

Welcome to the annual St. Anthony of Padua Harvest Festival which has been running for more than half a century.

The event, which is open to the community, will be held this weekend. The theme this year is “New Hope,” in recognition and in honor of the election of a new pope, Pope Francis, who ascended to the seat of St. Peter after Easter.

The festival will open right after the 10:45 a.m. Mass and will continue through 8 p.m. On Saturday, the festival will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Harvest festival chairpersons this year are the husband and wife team of Keith and Lois Wiedenhoeft.

Rounding out the long list of attractions are drawings both days for various big-ticket items including children’s bikes. Raffle tickets will be sold both days of the festival at $1 apiece.

The religious highlight of the festival takes place on Sunday, Sept. 22, when the multi-lingual outdoor Mass will be offered on the festival grounds starting at 10:45 a.m. There will be no 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Masses on that day.

For any questions about the festival, call the church office at (209) 823-7197..