St. Andrew Parish Festival
The St. Andrew Parish Festival, one of the largest community festivals in central Ohio, is again expected to attract 15,000 to 20,000 attendees this year Aug. 15-16 at 1899 McCoy Rd.
As usual, the festival is slated for 5 p.m. to midnight both nights, with a variety of entertainment in addition to rides, carnival games, face-painting and an air-conditioned casino tent featuring blackjack and poker.
“It’s basically going to be the same great festival that it’s been in years past,” says John Posani, festival chairman.
Bingo, which is popular with seniors, will again be held in the air conditioned school cafeteria. The Saturday evening dinner, $8 per person, is held in the parish hall from 5-8.
Friday’s entertainment lineup includes an animal encounter with animals from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and rock band Conspiracy from 8-11 p.m. Saturday entertainment kicks off with acoustic duo EKG from 5-7 p.m. and country cover band Jacked Up from 8-11 p.m.
Festival entrance is free. Wristbands for unlimited rides and turns on the inflatables are $20 per person. For more information, visit www.standrewparish.cc.
Golden Bear Bash
Organizers for the eighth annual Golden Bear Bash are hoping for more attendees than ever at the event, planned this year for Aug. 31.
Last year, the annual fundraiser for the Upper Arlington Education Foundation, sold out with 1,000 guests, says Joanie Dugger, foundation executive director.
Again held in a tent in the parking lot of Tremont Center, the bash features food from several local vendors, entertainment, including music from dueling piano act All Keyed Up, and live and silent auctions.
“We’re thrilled to be invited back by the (Tremont Center) merchants,” Dugger says. “We are getting more tent space. … We’re planning on offering more tickets.”
Last year, the event raised $119,000, which the foundation put toward grants for education projects and programming.
Dugger details several projects the foundation has funded: half of a mobile computer cart featuring 25 MacBook Airs, a playground accessible for students with cochlear implants at Windermere Elementary School, and Smartpens for students at Barrington Elementary School.
General admission tickets are $50 each. Raffle and drink tickets are sold separately.
For more information, visit www.goldenbearbash.com.
