By Keysha Drexel
Journal editor
Volunteers at a Homewood church are busy putting their plans together for the Birmingham metro area’s oldest Independence Day festival.
The 65th annual Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Independence Day Festival will kick off at 10 a.m. and run through 3 p.m. July 4.
Since 1949, OLS has provided church parishioners and the community with a variety of entertainment and great food to celebrate Independence Day, said Bill Lang, one of the organizers.
“The annual festivities include something for everyone,” Lang said.
The celebration will include plenty of barbecue, a raffle, entertainment from Bobby “T” Tanory, a cake walk, doll walk, games and activities for all ages and the popular Trash ’n’ Treasure rummage sale.
The annual festival is coordinated by the Knights of Columbus Council #4304.
“The Knights of Columbus at OLS are excited to be celebrating 65 years of honoring our nation’s birthday, and we hope that our parish, diocese and our community will come join in the celebration,” said Adam Morel, Grand Knight of the OLS Knights of Columbus #4304 and festival co-chairman.
Festival proceeds will help the OLS building fund, OLS school, special charities and the charitable endeavors of the Knights of Columbus.
The Knights plan to cook about 5,000 pounds of meat for guests to enjoy under a huge tent, in the Parish Hall or at home, according to Joe Falconer, barbecue chairman for the event.
Bulk meat sales will be available in the school cafeteria during the festival. On July 3, bulk meat sales will run from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
The menu for the festival includes plates of pork, beef, ribs or chicken along with beans, slaw and bread. Those attending the festival can also get hotdogs, smoked sausage and pork sandwiches.
Festival guests will have a chance to win $11,000 in cash being given away during a raffle.
The grand prize is $5,000 cash, and first prize is $2,000 cash.
The second-place raffle winner will receive $1,000 in cash donated by Joe Falconer of RealtySouth. Three third-place cash prizes of $500 will be awarded, and those attending will have a chance to win four cash prizes of $250 each.
Those who want to get a bargain while they celebrate Independence Day can check out the annual Trash ’n’ Treasure rummage sale.
The OLS gym will be chock-full of household items, clothing, collectibles and more, according to Melanie Falconer, rummage sale chairman.
Festival organizers have been collecting items for the rummage sale since May 21.
“The Knights of Columbus have already been picking up some things,” Falconer said. “We have about three storage units full of stuff.”
The rummage sale’s furniture offerings were expanded this year, Falconer said, and shoppers will once again be able to hunt for furniture bargains in a 4,800-square-foot tent. Falconer said the tent will hold hundreds of furniture items, rugs, decorative pillows, lamps and floral arrangements.
As part of the annual festival, Falconer said organizers have also been working for months on a shoe drive. She said hundreds of pairs of shoes have already been repaired and rejuvenated at the Homewood Shoe Hospital.
The gym will open at 8 a.m. for the first 400 people who donate $5 for early bird admission tickets. Otherwise, shoppers can enter the gym at 9 a.m., Falconer said.
The festival will be on the church grounds at 1728 Oxmoor Road, Homewood.
For more information on the rummage sale, visit www.facebook.com/OLSTrashAndTreasure. For details on the Independence Day Festival, call the church at 871-8121.
