Small town festival rivals bigger county fairs in the heart of summer in Carpinteria

CARPINTERIA, Calif. – A small town community church festival has found some divine intervention of sorts, during the very competitive event schedule going on this summer.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church has a three day festival event this weekend. It's the 66th year.

It takes place on the church field on Linden Ave. north of Highway 101. The area is a fraction of the space you would find at any other festival, and that requires the organizers to stuff it all into a tight location.

The event will have carnival rides including a Ferris wheel where you can see the ocean from the top level.

In addition to some of the traditional carnival games, the church has the old fashioned booths for a dime toss and the always popular tent for the Loteria game.

The food is prepared by the church staff and comes in at much cheaper than you would find at other fairs and festivals. Corn on the Cob and Tacos are both $3.00, burritos are $6.00 and ice cream cones are $3.00. There's wine and beer for adults, other drinks include sodas, Aguas Frescas, including Horchata, home-made lemonade and iced teas.

There is also a raffle with $1.00 tickets and prize money up to $3,000.

There's also live music every day and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Local produce including freshly picked Carpinteria avocados and cut flowers are also for sale.

Admission and parking is free.

Opening Night is Friday, July 14, from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 15, from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday, July 16, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Live entertainment will be held nightly in both English and Spanish.

The event raises money for St. Joseph Church ministries Baptisms, Sacraments, Marriage Preparation, Prayer Groups, there are outreach ministries which include Prevention and Rescue, Rite of Catholic Adult Initiation and Religious Education for all ages.

People in St. Joseph participate in the many committees required of this size of church.

There is a thriving and popular “Resale Shop” operating during the week, and other aid for people in need, including the working poor.

For more information go to: St. Joseph's Church.

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