By Portia Williams
Rick Estep, co-chairperson of the St. Mary’s International Festival said he couldn’t ask for a better turnout than they have had thus far for the annual festival.
“This year has been exceptional in attendance,” Estep said. “We kicked off last night with the Josh Stewart Band, and his band was really fantastic. This morning we had people lined up waiting to get into the flea market. I brought coffee and donuts in for our car show people, and they started coming in at 7 o’clock in the morning. It extends from Valley Wholesale to the end of Third Street. It has just been awesome.”
He said the food booths have been busy from the onset of the event.
“We opened the food booths at 11, and the people have just been coming since about 10 minutes until 11.” he said. “Every booth that I have gone to, the people have just been so excited and supportive. The weather has been great, we are all happy, my co-chair Tim Paul, and our Father (Adam) Streintenberger have been happy as well,”
The remainder of events for the lineup of musical guests for the International Festival will include the following:
Saturday, Sept. 19 – Shane Runion, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. – Nevada Hart & Nick Nichols
Sunday, Sept. 20 – 12:30 p.m. – Amhrain, 2:30 p.m. Gary Billups & The Music Department
Cash prizes will be a part of the Festival, with the purchase of raffle tickets.
There will be a grand cash prize – $2,000 as well as lesser cash prizes. Raffle tickets $1 or 6 for $5. 10th prize is a Treasure Chest of Goodies value of about $1,000, all drawings to be held Sunday 4 p.m.
All of the food booths and many more activities start on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 20, from noon to 5 p.m. on the parish grounds located on the corner of Fifth and Market streets in the historic Boneyfiddle District of downtown Portsmouth.
“This has just turned into a huge community event, and we are looking forward to another successful year, and look forward to having the community to come out and support it as they always do,” Estep said.
Reach Portia Williams at 740-353-3101, ext. 1929, or on Twitter @PortiaWillPDT.
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