LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Thousands of people gathered over the weekend for the 46th annual St. Gerard Festival, one of Lima’s largest community events and the biggest fundraiser for St. Gerard Parish and School.
The three-day festival featured rides, games, food and the parish’s popular chicken wings, attracting visitors from across the region. Organizers said many former residents and parish members return to Lima each year to take part in the long-standing tradition.
This year’s festival also served as an opportunity to honor the legacy of the Redemptorist priests who founded St. Gerard Parish 110 years ago. During the event, the parish members gathered for a group photograph that will be presented to the priests as a gift recognizing their contributions to Lima, the parish and the festival.
The Redemptorist priests are scheduled to leave the parish in June, making the tribute especially meaningful for parishioners and festival organizers.
“You know, we just wanted to take a moment to recognize the Redemptorist. They were such a big part of so many people's lives. So, it's bittersweet. Every year we get so much support uh not only from the parishioners, the school children, the school parents, but the whole Limaland community and outside of our community. It's our major fundraiser and we couldn't do it without the people that come and support us, but also the volunteers, hundreds of volunteers that help put it on. So, it's just it's a great weekend. We've been blessed from above," said Kelly Stolly, co-chairman of the St. Gerard Parish Festival.
The festival concludes Sunday evening with its annual raffle, where one winner will receive the $10,000 grand prize in the festival big drawing.
