It’s hard to believe that our 2010 Festival less than 4 months away. Planning has been underway for several months with several new ideas in the works. Mark your calendar now for an exciting fun-filled weekend May 13th through the 16th.

An opening has developed on the committee for the position of Publicity Director. This individual would oversee a committee that is responsible for weekly bulletin articles, securing sponsorships and prize donations, local community awareness through newspaper, radio, internet and cable television as well as photography during the festival. Publicity is not a one person job. If you are interested in heading this committee or would like to assist in any of the tasks mentioned, please contact the festival office at (313) 937-1530, extension 142. If you prefer, you can send an e-mail to festival@strobertbellarmine.com.
One additional role that we would will add this year is that of Volunteer Director. This individual would coordinate the volunteers with the chairpersons of the various areas. We need to make sure that we find a space for anyone that volunteers to lend a hand. This position will consist mainly of phone calls. If you are interested, please contact the Festival office.

Once again, we are asking for the help of all parishioners in securing sponsors for this annual fund raising activity. Opportunities are available through prize donations and sponsorship of raffle tickets, dinners or other specific activities. If you or someone you know would be interested, please e-mail or call the Festival office.

A careful analysis of our Vegas area over the past 10 years has shown a downturn in attendance over the past several years with a major drop-off in 2009. Most of this lower attendance has been on Sunday evening. At one point we were seriously considering dropping this activity from our program. With the advent of poker rooms that are now being held at local bars, restaurants, bowling centers and numerous halls, attendance has seen a steady decline in Festival Vegas rooms at many events in our area. This, coupled with the current economic conditions, could be the reason that many families have told us that they have shifted their entertainment dollars to focus on activities that the entire family can take part in. While we ride out the current slowdown in our economy, we have decided to operate the Vegas area on Friday and Saturday evenings only. We will not have Vegas on Sunday night. We will continue to monitor this activity and make changes as our needs develop.
If you have any suggestions or would like to take part in putting together this year’s festival, please contact us through one of the methods listed above.

Start planning now for Festival 2010. It will be here before you know it.