For the Antigo Times

On Sunday, September 23, St. John Catholic Church will host the Annual International Food Festival at the Langlade County Fairgrounds from 10:00 AM until 4:30 PM. There is no charge for the full day of activities with unique dining opportunities and cuisines from all over the world.

The day will kick off in the Pavillion (Barn) with a “Polka Mass” celebrated at 9:00 AM, with a second Mass at 11:00 AM with Pastor Matt Simonar. Music will be provided by a very lively Polka band from Pulaski, The Marosek Brothers. The Maroszek Brothers band includes four brothers, Gene, Al, Frank, Scott, their nephew, Bruce Brzeczkowski, and family friend John Wudtke.

At 10:00 am, the International Food Court, booths, and raffles will open in the Multi- Purpose building.  Attendees can sample a variety of ethnic food and beverages from the following ten countries:  Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Canada, Mexico, India, Poland, Greece, and of course, the USA. For those with a sweet tooth, there is an “Ethnic Desserts” booth, and “The Bell Sisters” Sweet Shoppe featuring old-fashioned sodas. Many of you will know the local families that are preparing the delicious fare from their heritage country, with recipes that have been handed down through the generations.

From 10:00 am until 2:00 pm, kids of all ages will have a blast in the “Kids Zone”. Indoors, kids can win awesome prizes playing games such as Nerf Hunt, Stand the Bottle, Minnow Races, Ring a Pumpkin, and new games – Shooting Hoops and Gone Fishing. There will also be face painting and the chance to win a brand new hover board (raffle tickets will be sold). Outdoors, kids can burn some extra energy in the ever-popular Bounce House and inflatable Obstacle Course.

At noon watch the Packers play the Redskins on a flat screen TV in the “Beer Garden”. 50/50 raffles will be offered throughout the afternoon. Then at 1:00 PM, enjoy live entertainment with the “Lovin Country” band with Don and Rosie Malitz. Throughout the day, “Silent Auctions” and raffles will be offered, such as Father Charlie’s 2006 Barron Scooter 150 CC aptly inscripted as “Charlies Angels”, a retro patio set from Frisch’s Greenhouse; and many themed baskets in the “Basket” booth.  Of special interest is a grand prize quilt to be raffled; a beautiful, designer, queen size quilt in various earth tones sewn beautifully by Linda Hendrickson.

Visit the variety booths, such as “The Sports” booth with items from Packers, Badgers, Brewers and all things Red Robins.  The “Purse-onality” booth has a wide variety of gently used purses and jewelry.  Of course there will be “A Taste of St. John” with bakery, candy, jams and Erla Marvin’s “Legendary Long Johns”.  There is also a “Food for the Soul” booth with religious articles, with many items for all those special occasions such as baptisms, Confirmations etc.

The fun filled day will culminate at 4:00 PM with the many raffles being drawn, including a Packer- Badger-Brewer neon sign, $150.00 money raffle, and a “money Cake” made out of rolled up real paper currency in various denominations to name a few. The final drawings start at 4:15 PM, including the freezer full of meat and the John Deere zero-turn lawn mower, with the final drawing at 4:30 of the 2018 GMC Terrain SLE with cooperation of Quinlan’s Equipment, Inc.