Holy Family Catholic Parish will hold its first picnic under its new name.
The single parish was formed when Immaculate Conception and St. David Catholic parishes merged in August 2023 as part of the Archdiocese of St. Louis’ “All Things New” initiative.
Wendy Haglin, one of the picnic’s organizers, said the merger has created more enthusiasm for the event, which will be held from 5-11 p.m. Friday and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday at the Church Road campus, 2300 Church Road, in Arnold.
“I feel there is an added excitement,” she said. “Last year, the picnic was a huge success. That was primarily because the weather was so amazing. If we have amazing weather, I expect it to be better than ever.”
Haglin said she estimated 4,000 people attended last year’s event, and the parish raised more than $10,000 for its general fund.
“I think this year it will be outstanding,” she said. “We have added some more things, and there will be my personal favorite – funnel cakes.”
One of the new additions to the picnic is a $10,000 grand-prize raffle. The parish sold all 300 tickets for the drawing.
The second prize is $2,500 and third prize is $1,500. Winners do not have to be present to collect their prizes.
This year’s event will feature more musical performances, Haglin said.
A DJ will play music from 7-11 p.m. Friday, and on Saturday, kids will get to sing karaoke from 1-4 p.m. In addition, Nick Evancho will play acoustic music from 4:30-6:30 p.m., and the Exit 180 band will perform from 7-11 p.m.
“We will have some version of music Friday night and nearly all day on Saturday,” Haglin said. “The music is pretty popular. People always ask for it and when the music will be playing.”
A cornhole tournament operated by Daddin & Baggin will be held again this year. Teams of two are guaranteed five games for a $50 entry fee that includes four beer tickets.
The winning team will receive 50 percent of the entry fees. The tournament will be played on the baseball field or inside the Parish Center’s gym if it rains.
Registration for the tournament starts at 1 p.m., and the competition will begin at 2 p.m. Teams may pre-register after scanning a QR code on the Daddin & Baggin Facebook page.
Hagin said 19 teams played in last year’s tournament.
“It added a lot last year,” she said of the tournament. “It raised about $500 for the parish. We don’t know how much more money it brought in with some players staying to eat dinner and bringing their families to enjoy the picnic, but I believe people who would not have normally come to the picnic did because of the tournament.”
The picnic will have carnival rides open from 5-10 p.m. Friday and 1-10 p.m. Saturday. Single ticket rides cost $3, and $25 unlimited ride bracelets for portions of each day will be sold.
“It is a huge advantage,” Haglin said of the ride bracelets.
Beverages and food will be available for purchase, and members of the Holy Family Catholic School will operate games from 5-9 p.m. Friday and noon to 9 p.m. Saturday.
A parade featuring floats constructed by the school’s families and students, as well as antique cars and representatives from the Arnold Police Department and Rock Community Fire Protection District, will begin at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Walmart parking lot, 2201 Michigan Ave., and end at the picnic grounds.
Knockerball, which has participants get into oversized inflated balls and compete in a soccer match, may be played for free from 6-8 p.m. Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday.
Other free activities on Saturday include a balloon artist from noon to 2 p.m.; a bubble cannon from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and 6-7 p.m.; and a petting zoo from 2-4 p.m.
“I try to add things in the middle of the afternoon,” Haglin said. “I feel it helps draw people to the picnic.”
A fireworks display, which will begin at about 8:45 p.m. Saturday, will be a highlight of the weekend, Haglin said.
“This year’s will be bigger and better than ever,” she said. “It is a huge attraction. Everyone wants to know when it starts. I feel people start coming in around dinner and stay for the fireworks.”
For more information, call 636-321-0002 or visit the parish’s website at icarnold.com.