Fall Festival: Annual event starts on Thursday at St. Rafael’s
Lehigh Acres Fall Festival logo
The Lehigh Acres Fall Festival, which is the second largest event in Lehigh, second only to the Lehigh Spring Festival in March, opens tomorrow night, Thursday, Nov. 13 and continues through Sunday, with a giant-sized midway, a large tent where dinner will be served and bands will be playing all types of music throughout the festival.
The Fall Festival is at the St. Rafael Catholic Church campus on Lee Boulevard, just across from the Lehigh Super Walmart.
Motorists already have been watching the giant Ferris wheel go up along with other rides on the campus.
Mike Wheeler, who has lived in Lehigh for the past nine or so years, said he and his committee have been making plans for several months, having met weekly sometimes to make sure all the arrangements are made.
He said it was the 20th annual Fall Festival and the event is known to draw thousands during its four-days of fun and activities.
“We’re very proud of the Fall Festival and how it has become so popular in Leigh. We know that it is the second largest such event in Lehigh and each year, the crowds get larger,” Wheeler said.
The Fall Festival is free and there is plenty of parking on the church grounds for a fee of $3.
The festival hours are on Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m.; Friday, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Saturday, noon to midnight; and on Sunday from 2 to 10 p.m.
“The whole event is run by lots of volunteers, all members of the church,” Wheeler said.
The proceeds from the Fall Festival go to support the church and its missions, some of which are helping local families with finances and food, Wheeler said.
Helping Wheeler is co-chairman Oscar Gamble, a former resident of Lehigh, who lives in Punta Gorda.
Some of the highlights of the festival include a four-day silent auction, which will take place inside the Parish Hall.
“Our visitors can come and keep up with the bids, using a given number to add a bid whenever they want. The items to be auctioned off will be awarded on Sunday,” Wheeler said.
“There will be a big bake sale, all kinds of baked goods including cakes and cookies, prepared by the members of the church. It is one of our popular events,” he said.
There will be an Italian dinner on Saturday night with the popular local musical band known as “Live and Learn,” which plays all types of music.
On Friday night, Jay Frost’s country music will be provided. On Saturday night, Wheeler said the Latin 18-member band known as “Grupo Espali” will perform.
“That’s really great top entertainment and we have also booked some bands for the Spanish speaking community in addition to the English-speaking community of Lehigh.
“We know that the many Hispanics who come enjoy the festival,” Wheeler said.
And then on Sunday night, another Latin band “Son Familia,” an eight-member family group is on the program for entertainment. Also performing will be a group from the church.”
The giant outside tent was set up last week and it took most of the day due to the windy conditions, Wheeler laughed, noting that it had to be put up twice.
The festival will feature lots of rides for the kids and the grown-ups who feel like kids. And Wheeler said a special armband can be purchased to save money on the many rides.
By Wheeler’s count, there will be at least 30 rides available. All the rides were set up earlier this week.
A beer garden will be situated next to the main tent and Wheeler said visitors don’t have to bring their own lawn chairs as there will be plenty of seating provided under the tent. It’s the same tent that will be filled with Christmas trees for sale after the festival is over.
“Our silent auction is a lot of fun and we will have a lot for sale this year,” Wheeler said. “It ends Sunday at 4 p.m. when those with the highest bids will be given what they purchased. It’s being held in the parish hall.
Wheeler said there will be plenty of seating for three hours for the Italian dinner. People will coming and going.
“We’ll be serving until we run out and the people will have some choices in which to order,” he said.
Wheeler reminded everyone that to get into the Fall Festival grounds, there is no admittance. However, parking on the church grounds will cost $3 and volunteers will direct visitors where to park.
“It’s a family event and we look forward to it and we encourage everyone in Lehigh to come on out and bring their kids. They’ll have a lot of fun,” Wheeler said.
“Even Father Cooner will be at the dinner,” Wheeler laughed. Cooney is the church’s pastor.
For a schedule of all events and times, go on the Internet at: www.srfallfest.com/documents/ENTERTAINMENT/SRFALLFEST_entertain_flyer.pdf.
Fall Festival: Annual event starts on Thursday at St. Rafael’s
Lehigh Acres Fall Festival logo
The Lehigh Acres Fall Festival, which is the second largest event in Lehigh, second only to the Lehigh Spring Festival in March, opens tomorrow night, Thursday, Nov. 13 and continues through Sunday, with a giant-sized midway, a large tent where dinner will be served and bands will be playing all types of music throughout the festival.
The Fall Festival is at the St. Rafael Catholic Church campus on Lee Boulevard, just across from the Lehigh Super Walmart.
Motorists already have been watching the giant Ferris wheel go up along with other rides on the campus.
Mike Wheeler, who has lived in Lehigh for the past nine or so years, said he and his committee have been making plans for several months, having met weekly sometimes to make sure all the arrangements are made.
He said it was the 20th annual Fall Festival and the event is known to draw thousands during its four-days of fun and activities.
“We’re very proud of the Fall Festival and how it has become so popular in Leigh. We know that it is the second largest such event in Lehigh and each year, the crowds get larger,” Wheeler said.
The Fall Festival is free and there is plenty of parking on the church grounds for a fee of $3.
The festival hours are on Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m.; Friday, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Saturday, noon to midnight; and on Sunday from 2 to 10 p.m.
“The whole event is run by lots of volunteers, all members of the church,” Wheeler said.
The proceeds from the Fall Festival go to support the church and its missions, some of which are helping local families with finances and food, Wheeler said.
Helping Wheeler is co-chairman Oscar Gamble, a former resident of Lehigh, who lives in Punta Gorda.
Some of the highlights of the festival include a four-day silent auction, which will take place inside the Parish Hall.
“Our visitors can come and keep up with the bids, using a given number to add a bid whenever they want. The items to be auctioned off will be awarded on Sunday,” Wheeler said.
“There will be a big bake sale, all kinds of baked goods including cakes and cookies, prepared by the members of the church. It is one of our popular events,” he said.
There will be an Italian dinner on Saturday night with the popular local musical band known as “Live and Learn,” which plays all types of music.
On Friday night, Jay Frost’s country music will be provided. On Saturday night, Wheeler said the Latin 18-member band known as “Grupo Espali” will perform.
“That’s really great top entertainment and we have also booked some bands for the Spanish speaking community in addition to the English-speaking community of Lehigh.
“We know that the many Hispanics who come enjoy the festival,” Wheeler said.
And then on Sunday night, another Latin band “Son Familia,” an eight-member family group is on the program for entertainment. Also performing will be a group from the church.”
The giant outside tent was set up last week and it took most of the day due to the windy conditions, Wheeler laughed, noting that it had to be put up twice.
The festival will feature lots of rides for the kids and the grown-ups who feel like kids. And Wheeler said a special armband can be purchased to save money on the many rides.
By Wheeler’s count, there will be at least 30 rides available. All the rides were set up earlier this week.
A beer garden will be situated next to the main tent and Wheeler said visitors don’t have to bring their own lawn chairs as there will be plenty of seating provided under the tent. It’s the same tent that will be filled with Christmas trees for sale after the festival is over.
“Our silent auction is a lot of fun and we will have a lot for sale this year,” Wheeler said. “It ends Sunday at 4 p.m. when those with the highest bids will be given what they purchased. It’s being held in the parish hall.
Wheeler said there will be plenty of seating for three hours for the Italian dinner. People will coming and going.
“We’ll be serving until we run out and the people will have some choices in which to order,” he said.
Wheeler reminded everyone that to get into the Fall Festival grounds, there is no admittance. However, parking on the church grounds will cost $3 and volunteers will direct visitors where to park.
“It’s a family event and we look forward to it and we encourage everyone in Lehigh to come on out and bring their kids. They’ll have a lot of fun,” Wheeler said.
“Even Father Cooner will be at the dinner,” Wheeler laughed. Cooney is the church’s pastor.
For a schedule of all events and times, go on the Internet at: www.srfallfest.com/documents/ENTERTAINMENT/SRFALLFEST_entertain_flyer.pdf.
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