St. Patrick’s parish party connects community members

Sizzling grills, beer glasses and music drew hundreds to St. Patrick’s Parish’s Country Fair held throughout the weekend from Friday, June 9 to Sunday June 11.

The event was one of several to be held by the parish to build community and connect with young people.

Fair Director Marilee Fitzgerald said the goal was to “bring the younger people, get them more involved in their church … to build community and [help others] meet new people. That’s basically the whole thing, so people can meet each other.”

The fair has been in the works for three months, according to the director, and was broken down into two parts. The beer garden, the first the church has held, was held for younger people over the age of 21 while the flea market and fair provided family-friendly entertainment. According to Fitzgerald, community events, consisting of movie nights and flea markets, did so well they “wanted to spice them up a little bit.”

The 21+ beer garden was open on Friday from 8-11 p.m. A range of  local craft beers from Brooklyn Brewery were served and a tasting of seasonal brews and beer flights was sponsored by BrooklynOne Productions and Dorsa Group Realty. Hello Brooklyn provided live music, playing modern favorites and oldies. People took turns making silly faces in the sponsored photo booth.

Family festivities took place throughout the rest of the weekend. The flea market and fair were open to all on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Vendors sold a variety of items and fair food classics like kettle corn and cotton candy were served.

Fitzgerald said that though not everyone gets to go away during the summer, they can have some fun at the church. The next BBQ and beer garden will be held July 7. A screening of “Grease” will take place on July 21 followed by a screening of “Parent Trap” on August 25.