By Abigail Wright
NKyTribune reporter
The annual St. Paul Summer Kickoff will return to Florence June 5-7, with proceeds supporting the St. Paul Church and School.
The festival has been a local tradition for more than 30 years and remains one of the church’s largest fundraisers, according to Chris Elmlinger, executive chair of the festival committee, who has served in the role for three years.
“I think what makes the festival committee great is we all understand it’s just a fundraiser at the end of the day,” Elmlinger said. “We all have our day jobs where we’re working for a business, but this is something that is good to do for the community and the school and our parish.”
The kickoff will feature activities for all ages, including inflatable attractions, a mobile video game truck, cornhole and a variety of gambling games. Live bands playing classic rock and country will provide entertainment throughout the weekend.
Attendees will also find a variety of food options, including Graeter’s Ice Cream, Chick-fil-A and Kona Ice, along with booths serving hot dogs, hamburgers, fries pizza and other favorites.
One of the festival’s biggest attractions is the silent auction, which will include more than 100 themed baskets. Featured items include an AutoZone basket, beauty basket, cooking basket, back-to-school basket, Keeneland basket and a football signed by former Cincinnati Bengals player Anthony Muñoz.
Another fundraising opportunity is the “Wheelbarrow of Cheer” raffle, featuring about $500 in liquor, beer, and gift cards. Tickets for the drawing are $5 each.
The festival’s grand raffle offers a chance to win cash prizes. Tickets cost $25 each, with prize amounts determined by the total number of tickets sold. The drawing will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 7.
A spaghetti dinner will also take place on Sunday from 4-6 p.m. with proceeds supporting the St. Paul eighth-graders’ field trip to Washington, D.C.
Elmlinger said the festival also serves as an opportunity to bring the community together.
“I think St. Paul being in Florence, it’s an ever-evolving city right now, and I feel like it’s a way to bring the city of Florence together,” Elmlinger said. “It helps welcome new people who live in Florence to the community and help see what it’s all about.”
Shuttle service will be available from the Sims Furniture/Eagle Finance parking lot along Dixie Highway, with signs directing visitors to the designated parking area.
