Looking Back
In 1906, as the Church of Saint Joseph celebrated its 50th Anniversary of the parish, parishioners suggested having “a good picnic on the Fourth of July” as a fundraiser to purchase a Schwalbach clock for the church tower. The 1906 festival began the tradition of the annual parish festival that has taken place every year since and is the parish’s largest fundraiser of the year. Parishioners of all ages participate in the organization, setup and take down of the numerous festival stands, as well as providing games, entertainment, and refreshments to festival attendees.
Back in the 1920’s, Fr. Werner Schneppeheim, pastor at that time, created a dazzling “animal parade” to entertain the 4th of July crowds with people dressed in fake lion, camel, and elephant skins.
The annual parish festival even continued through the difficult years of the Depression and World War II. Fourth of July festivities during those years included penny bingo, penny candy, and fireworks that were set off on the sandlot across the street from the parish rectory.
In 1951, as the parish neared its 100th Anniversary, the Saint Joseph community hosted a parade of 41 floats.
In 1971, the annual parish festival had grown quite popular. Activities included a parade, concessions, bingo, live music and dancing, and a new feature—a Quilt Auction! The Quilt Auction still remains a vital part of the parish festival with about 25 large quilts and a dozen or more baby quilts hand-made by the Parish Quilters who meet regularly throughout the year to stitch their amazing creations.
Just as the first festival took place as the parish celebrated its 50th Anniversary, the Joetown Rocks Concert was added in 2006 as the parish celebrated its 150th Anniversary. Excitement filled the air as Bobby Vee, of Rock 'n’ Roll fame, was the concert’s headliner. A crowd of about 10,000 people filled the festival grounds on July 3, 2006, rocking to the beat of Bobby Vee, as well as the other concert bands. The following year, the annual Fireworks display was added to the July 3 lineup of festival activities.
The Joetown Rocks Parish Festival has continued to grow each year, drawing an estimated crowd of 18,000 people on July 3, 2014. Attendees come not only from all areas of Minnesota, but also from other states of America as well as from other countries such as Canada and England to partake in the fun, excitement, and tradition of the annual festival that has taken place for 110 years! And it isn’t just the activities of July 3 that draws a crowd. About 20,000 people descend upon the city of Saint Joseph on July 4 for the annual 4th of July parade and many of them stay to continue enjoying the Church of Saint Joseph’s Joetown Rocks Parish Festival throughout the day. What a glorious way to celebrate the Fourth of July!
Back in the 1920’s, Fr. Werner Schneppeheim, pastor at that time, created a dazzling “animal parade” to entertain the 4th of July crowds with people dressed in fake lion, camel, and elephant skins.
The annual parish festival even continued through the difficult years of the Depression and World War II. Fourth of July festivities during those years included penny bingo, penny candy, and fireworks that were set off on the sandlot across the street from the parish rectory.
In 1951, as the parish neared its 100th Anniversary, the Saint Joseph community hosted a parade of 41 floats.
In 1971, the annual parish festival had grown quite popular. Activities included a parade, concessions, bingo, live music and dancing, and a new feature—a Quilt Auction! The Quilt Auction still remains a vital part of the parish festival with about 25 large quilts and a dozen or more baby quilts hand-made by the Parish Quilters who meet regularly throughout the year to stitch their amazing creations.
Just as the first festival took place as the parish celebrated its 50th Anniversary, the Joetown Rocks Concert was added in 2006 as the parish celebrated its 150th Anniversary. Excitement filled the air as Bobby Vee, of Rock 'n’ Roll fame, was the concert’s headliner. A crowd of about 10,000 people filled the festival grounds on July 3, 2006, rocking to the beat of Bobby Vee, as well as the other concert bands. The following year, the annual Fireworks display was added to the July 3 lineup of festival activities.
The Joetown Rocks Parish Festival has continued to grow each year, drawing an estimated crowd of 18,000 people on July 3, 2014. Attendees come not only from all areas of Minnesota, but also from other states of America as well as from other countries such as Canada and England to partake in the fun, excitement, and tradition of the annual festival that has taken place for 110 years! And it isn’t just the activities of July 3 that draws a crowd. About 20,000 people descend upon the city of Saint Joseph on July 4 for the annual 4th of July parade and many of them stay to continue enjoying the Church of Saint Joseph’s Joetown Rocks Parish Festival throughout the day. What a glorious way to celebrate the Fourth of July!
