TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) -
The Regina Coeli Parish Festival is a north Toledo community tradition attracting thousands, as long as it doesn't rain.
The festival is in its 58th year, and there are plenty of reasons to come - like the food.
Lines are long for pigs in a blanket and kielbasa. There's a reason for this.
"It's pretty much a Polish-dominated parish, so we try to incorporate some Polish foods," said parishioner Joe Gajdostik.
Then there's the hard working Donut Patrol. They've been decorating and frosting donuts at the festival for nearly 30 years. Nobody knows how many dozen are sold.
"I think we're the only festival to make homemade donuts," said Jan McNichol, of the Donut Patrol. "And we do them on Sundays once a month to get our parishioners together."
The usual staples of a festival are there: rides for the kids, gambling for the adults.
And did somebody mention cold beer?
"Our beer is so cold that it hurts your hands when you pour it out of the ice," said Festival Chairman Nick Chupp.
All the money raised this weekend is poured back into the parish for the kids. It will go toward purchasing playground equipment, books and supplies.
But there's one thing members of this parish pray for every August: decent weather for their festival. If it rains, folks stay home.
If they're already at the festival, no problem
"We've got tents, so everybody can come on down, rain or shine," Chupp said. "We do have a big area where everybody gathers. Rain or shine, we're open for business."
The festival runs through Sunday. Admission is free.
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