Oceanside's St. Anthony’s Feast returns for 49th annual festival starting June 7

St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Oceanside is holding a weekend of food and family fun, filled with rides, raffles and rock n’ roll.

That’s right, the church’s 49th Annual St. Anthony’s Feast is starting on June 7 from 6 to 10 p.m. and goes to June 8 from 6 to 11 p.m. as well as June 9 from 4 to 11 p.m. and June 10 from 2 to 9 p.m. at the church grounds on Anchor Avenue. There is no admission fee and there will be live entertainment all weekend long.

Expect big rides such as a carousel and a roller coaster as well as ones for the younger attendees such as pony riding and a petting zoo. Food will be served, including but not limited to sausage and peppers, hamburgers, hot dogs, heroes, pasta, Italian ices, pizza, pastries, gyros and zeppoles, all prepared in house. Beer and wine will be available as well. While the rides and food and drink are not free, John Fellin, organizer for the event, said the volunteer-run would be inexpensive for feast goers.

“There will be free entertainment too,” Fellin said, “and a lot of family fun to enjoy.” The weekend will also feature raffles — with a top prize of over $1,500. “It’s family entertainment right in your backyard,” he added, “and a nice way to spend an evening this spring.”

In the past, over 10,000 people have attended the four-day feast, with 500 volunteers manning the booths. According to Fellin, they brought in about $100,000 in 2016, all of which goes to funding the parish’s programs and maintaining the church grounds.

“The money is used to benefit the largest religious congregation in Oceanside,” Fellin said. St. Anthony’s has been around for over 90 years and serves over 5,000 families as members and educates over 1,500 children through its religion classes. The parish also hold programs such as grief counseling and prayer groups and feeds three to four dozen needy families in Oceanside — regardless of religion, race or creed — according to Fellin.

There is also a mass at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday in honor of Patron Saint St. Anthony, in conjunction with Oceanside’s Knights of Columbus. A procession will be held, with a statue of St. Anthony to be carried around the area.