Celebrate culture, food and fun at Ss. Robert & William International Family Festival

What better way to celebrate the coming together of two parishes than to host a good ol’ fashioned festival? Not just an ordinary festival, but one that combines three great traditional events into one; this promises to be Euclid’s biggest summer festival this year! Saints Robert and Williams Parish proudly presents the first International Parish Festival, Aug. 19 through 21. It is the combination of St. Robert’s Festival, St. William’s Annual Picnic and the Taste of Nations, all into three days of family food, music and, most importantly, fun! Euclid’s wide diversity will be well represented at this culturally focused event in its internationally themed atmosphere, imported food, beverages and eclectic music lineup. 

Festivities kick off Aug. 18, with Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenek presenting a proclamation in a brief ceremony. The festival officially opens on Friday, Aug. 19 with all the fun-filled features festival goers have come to expect from past festivals, such as games, pony rides and inflatables for the youngsters, as well as rides in the Euclid Beach Rocket. Games and activities for all ages will be available as well in the sports areas of the festival. The casino will host Texas Hold ‘Em poker, blackjack and dice games in an air conditioned setting. A very special event will also take place on this Friday—the St. William and St. Robert first-ever reunion. Alumni of both schools, as well as past and present parishioners, are welcome to come together once again to celebrate, reminisce and renew old friendships. There will be live music in the big-top by popular Euclid band Pieces of Eight playing classic rock and Motown favorites, starting at 7 p.m.

The fourth annual Taste of Nations will take place Aug. 20 in the elementary school building. This very special event will tantalize your taste buds with offerings from the international community. Food and beverages from around the world will be your ticket to far off places. Culturally-themed music will augment your experience. Activities will also include silent and Chinese auctions. The dinner menu will feature a wide variety of nationality foods meticulously prepared by members of the parish, including stuffed cabbage, wiener schnitzel, Italian pasta and Irish corned beef, as well as Hispanic and Asian dishes. Imported beers and wine tasting will also be offered. Tickets for this adults-only event are available from the parish office at (216) 731-1515 or Jay Sweet (216) 731-7211. Please call for pricing details. The Taste of Nations event has sold out in the three years previous, so get your tickets early! 

Admission to the outdoor events is always free as festivities continue. Music in the big-top on Saturday will be provided by another very popular Euclid band, Phil ‘N The Blanks, playing your dancing and party favorites from the 50s to the 90s, beginning at 7 p.m.

An 11 a.m. Polka Mass will begin Sunday’s festivities, with the Don Wotijla Polka Band providing music for the service. After the Mass, the band will entertain festival goers until 3 p.m. under the big-top. Also, another great tradition will continue after Mass—the ever popular Ss. Robert and William’s World Famous BBQ Chicken Dinner from noon to 2:30 p.m. These dinners also sell out quickly so get there early! A very special surprise guest is scheduled to make a return visit to host Father McNeil’ s Country hour at 3 p.m., and from 4 to 5 p.m. Rich Smith from Taurus Entertainment will host the first (and we hope, annual) Parish Idol performances. From 5 p.m. until festival close, Rich Smith will take over entertainment duties.

A major highlight of this year’s festival is a drawing in which a lucky grand prize ticket holder will receive $10,000! Second prize is $2,500, third prize $1,000 and fourth prize $500, with the top raffle ticket seller receiving $100. Tickets for the drawing may be purchased at the Parish Rectory anytime before the festival, or at the festival itself until drawing time, which begins at 7:45 p.m., Aug. 21.  Raffle tickets are $5 or five for $20.

With the lineup of top-notch entertainment, great special events, Monte Carlo casino, bingo, and thrilling games and rides for all ages, the 2011 International Family Festival is the place to bring the whole family for an entire weekend of summer fun.  Admission to the festival and all entertainment events in the big-top is free, as is ample parking on the church grounds. Ss. Robert and William Parish is located at 367 East 260th Street in beautiful Euclid. Please visit the church website: www.srweuclid.cc or call (216) 731-1515 for more information.

Festival dates and hours                     Live entertainment hours

Friday, Aug. 19, 6 – 11 p.m.                Pieces of Eight, 7 – 11 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 20, 6 – 11 p.m.           Phil ‘N the Blanks, 7 – 11 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 21, 12:30 – 8 p.m.         Don Wotijla Polka Band, 12:30 – 3 p.m.

                                                            Father McNeil’s Country Hour, 3 – 4 p.m.

                                                            Rich Smith’s Parish Idol, 4 – 5 p.m.

                                                            Rich Smith (Taurus Entertainment), 5 – 8 p.m.