Lower Burrell church's Festival of Friendship continues Saturday

St. Margaret Mary parishioner Linda McAlpine believes the only way her church’s annual Festival of Friendship happens is through the hard work and dedication of many volunteers.

The festival, on the church grounds at 3055 Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell, has taken place for several decades with only a year off during the covid-19 pandemic. This is the third straight installment with McAlpine at the helm.

“If I didn’t have the people around me, my crew, it couldn’t get done,” she said Friday evening. “They’re fabulous. The guys are here setting up all the lighting and everything from Tuesday till last night, every night.

“The ladies with the raffle baskets start months in advance trying to get people to donate and coordinate everything. It’s a great undertaking.”

McAlpine said it is a major fundraiser for the church but declined to get into specifics. No monetary goals were set for this year.

The festival continues from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Saturday.

The festival features live music, multiple games of chance and children’s activities, including a train ride and inflatable house with a slide for an exit.

Christine George of Lower Burrell watched as her nephew, Myles McAlpine, 5, of Lower Burrell go for a ride in the lead car of the train ride. Myles is Linda McAlpine’s grandson and George is her daughter.

George said her favorite part of the festival is the food. She commended the volunteers and her mom for organizing a fun event.

“(Families) should come and get dinner,” George said. “Let the kids play. It’s a good family environment.”

Myles said his favorite part of the festival was the inflatable slide.

This is the first year beer is available at the festival.

McAlpine said church officials hope it will help attract more people.

Food trucks include Kona Ice, PK’s Cluckin’ Truck, Haus’s BBQ and The Candy Cottage. Chef Joe served up meatball and hot sausage hoagies. Other festival fare such as funnel cakes and fried Oreos were also available.

Food vendors do not take cash. Customers have to buy tickets. Cost is $1 per ticket.

Parishioners and local businesses donated enough items to make 117 baskets — one the biggest crop of gifts in recent festival history.

“We’re blessed,” said parishioner AnnaMary Versace. “We ask for donations and the parish responds and the community responds. We are very grateful for that.”

Versace and couple Mark and Marianne Thomas serve as co-basket raffle coordinators. Prizes include two TVs, thousands in cash and gift cards, handmade quilts and crafts, coolers and cookware.

Gift basket raffle tickets can be purchased before and after Sunday Mass. Winners will be chosen that afternoon. Tickets are $1 each or $25 for a strip. Gift baskets are located inside the church vestibule.

Other indoor activities include a bake sale and bingo.

McAlpine said her favorite part of the festival is the people.

“I love to see the families come in with the kids,” she said. “I don’t have a favorite thing. It’s everything.”

The Rev. Dan Blout was recently reassigned from Our Lady of Grace in Greensburg to the Lower Burrell church by the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg.

He was at the festival Friday mingling with his new flock.

“I feel good,” Blout said. “People have been so friendly, outgoing, welcoming. I cannot be more impressed. I’m glad I’m here. It’s very much similar demographic, similar commitment to the church, to the community.

“(The festival) is a family function and there’s things here for everyone,” Blout said. “Lot of food, lot of variations of things. I’m having a great time.”