Love those Holy Redeemer Pepperoni Puffs? Unfortunately, this year fans are going to have to rely on the Festival to get their fix.
Holy Redeemer announced over the weekend that they are canceling their beloved bazaar this year.
Citing a lack of attendance and financial success, Fr Mark Thomas announced in a letter that the decision was not made without consideration.
“As you can imagine, planning for future events must begin very early to insure success,” Thomas said. “Over the last months, the parish staff, pastoral council, finance council and various committees have come together to prayerfully plan our future events.”
For now, those events will not include the Bazaar.
“Considering the hard work and dedication of our parishioners who give so generously of their time and talents to create a happy Bazaar, the interest from the community and our has dramatically decreased,” Thomas said. “For this reason, we will not be having a Bazaar this year. The Big Money Raffle will continue this year. Watch for details.”
Thomas continued in his letter to talk about future events and encouraged participation and support.
“Our parish is still committed to the summer Festival in the Park and exploring other events to build community and generate excitement and revenue for our parish,” Thomas said. “These events will be spaced throughout the year.”
Bad/wrong decision. Festival needs to go back to 6 days with bigger rides, longer hours. Perhaps one 6 day festival in early spring, and another 6 day festival in late summer.
Forgot to add: Since food is of outstanding quality at bazaar, recommend recruiting more workers by asking them directly at every Mass to cook and work long hours at bazaar. Perhaps give each worker one free meal each night as incentive. Recommend adding more outdoor grilling meals:weekly menu of charcoal grilled steak and corn on cob, grilled walleye from Lake Erie, organic burgers, cajun seasoned charcoal grilled organic bone in pork chops with baked sweet potatoes, grilled Alaskan wild salmon with grilled pineapple/tomatoes. Need to purchase more industrial charcoal grills and train more parish workers to operate them. Pizza production needs to be advertised more broadly and offered to package/ship anywhere in US. Offer homemade iced tea made daily on site. Prices can be increased to accomodate food cost, just be sure to raise the prices enough so you make significant left over profit. Offer credit card payment option at bazaar and train workers to operate credit card machines/receipts etc. Go back to giving grand prize of re-done customized SUV with upgraded motor, chassis, interior, etc. (worth $100000) plus $50000 cash for its maintenance, upkeep, and insurance. This would seem to have broad appeal and profit increasing potential for Parish.