Rain Doesn't Deter Family Fun Fair

Though Sunday afternoon was gray and misty, smiles were not in short supply at the Second Annual Family Fun Fair in Madison. Saint Patrick’s Church partnered with Saint Vincent’s of Madison to host a day filled with games, treats, and plenty of good times.

The inclement weather caused the event to be moved indoors, but the limited space did not limit the activities. The Fair boasted typical carnival fare such as sand art, face painting, cotton candy, and a moon bounce. Children as young as two eagerly played games, won prizes, and enjoyed the day. Members of the Youth Group from both parishes coordinated games such as the Football Toss, and Plinko, doling out prizes to the best.

Maggie Grady, the Youth Minister at St. Patrick’s for seven years, was thrilled to bring back the event after a small hiatus. Though plans had to be scaled down slightly to accommodate for space, Grady thought the children were really receptive and, “having a blast.”

“Anyone who grew up here knows they used to have a fun fair every year at Chatham Middle School, we had it outside for the whole community,” she said. “After they turfed everything, they stopped doing it. We kind of brought it back because everyone looks forward to it and loves it.”

The Fun Fair, a community tradition, was organized to raise money for a trip to Appalachia, West Virginia. Youth Groups from both parishes spend a week repairing homes and improving impoverished areas. Youth Groups from both churches are very active, with 340 high schoolers at St. Patrick's and roughly 200 at St. Vincent’s. The trip has been a Saint Patrick’s staple for 26 years, with Saint Vincent’s coming along for the past three. St. Vincent Youth Minister Anne Marie Gisoldi finds the union touching, considering the towns’ heated rivalry.

“The neat thing about our young people is that they're looking always to do retreats and events together, and things like this join up our two communities,” she said. “In a neat way, they serve with each other and it's a unique thing to see, since there’s a pretty intense rivalry between the high schools. The kids are really dedicated to what they do.”

The most popular activity of the day was a game where children were able to win a live goldfish—always a crowd favorite. But the day was about more than trophies and treats; it was about raising money for a great cause, and building lasting memories for the youth of the community.

“I remember my kids doing the Secret Garden when they were little,” Grady said. “That’s the game where kids they have to run through a field of paper flowers to find a toy, and if they do they get to keep a flower. My kids always loved doing that, and it’s very special to me.”

“Both communities are very supportive of this project,” Gisoldi said. “Whether it’s going down to Appalachia or any other service component, the kids just get really involved. It’s wonderful to see.”