Multi-cultural food, keiki activities, live entertainment, a country store and silent auction are part of the family fun at the annual St. Michael the Archangel Feast Day Celebration, Sept. 28 and 29 in Kailua-Kona.
The celebration begins with the 5 p.m. Saturday vigil Mass at the church tent at 74-574 Honokohau Street in the Honokohau Industrial Park.
The fun continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a nearby, larger white tent with entrance on Kamanu Street.
The Saturday evening liturgy will showcase the congregation’s rich ethnic heritage with a colorful international flag procession by members of different cultures wearing traditional dress. After Mass, parishioners will serve free samples of ethnic foods.
Sunday will feature a “country store” with fresh pies and pastries, jellies and jams, pickled veggies, crafts and plants. Parish musicians will perform and kids can enjoy games and inflatables. A food booth will offer steak and shoyu chicken plates for $10.
General admission is free. A $5 fun bracelet entitles keiki to enjoy the inflatables and have a hot dog and a drink.
A live and silent auction will feature merchandise from local businesses and treasures from residents. Proceeds from food and booth sales and the silent auction go toward the St. Michael Parish, Kona, building fund.
The parish is building a new church on Alii Drive to replace the one built in 1850 that was damaged beyond repair during the October 2006 earthquake. The old church was demolished in November 2009.
Kailua parishioners now celebrate Mass in a tent.
St. Michael Church is part of the North Kona Catholic Community that includes four smaller mission churches: Immaculate Conception Church in Holualoa, St. Paul Church in Honalo, St. Peter Church in Keauhou and Holy Rosary Church in Kalaoa.
The overall parish serves more than 1,500 families and a steady stream of visitors. For more information or to donate auction items, call 808-326-7771 or visit www.stmichaelparishkona.org.
