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St. Joan of Arc Festival History
The origin of the St. Joan of Arc Festival can be traced as far back as 1925, when a Festival was held at the original St. Joan of Arc church location on Chocolate Avenue in Hershey. Today, the site is now the Church of The Redeemer U.C.C.
Reverend Patrick Phelan - Pastor
Reverend Patrick Phelan - Pastor
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Early St. Joan of Arc Festivals
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St. Joan of Arc Festival, Summer 1961
Held in the field behind the current West Areba Avenue rectory.
Monsignor Anthony Mayan - Pastor
Held in the field behind the current West Areba Avenue rectory.
Monsignor Anthony Mayan - Pastor
Our current church on West Areba Avenue was under construction in 1961.
"St. Joan of Arc Country Fair"- 1973
Eleven years after the previous (1961) Festival, the parish and community gathered in 1973 for what eventually became an annual tradition.
The one day event was called the St Joan of Arc Country Fair, held on the West Areba Avenue property.
The 1973 Country Fair took place on Sep. 1, 1973 (Labor Day weekend) from 11am - Evening.
Monsignor Donald Adams - Pastor
Eleven years after the previous (1961) Festival, the parish and community gathered in 1973 for what eventually became an annual tradition.
The one day event was called the St Joan of Arc Country Fair, held on the West Areba Avenue property.
The 1973 Country Fair took place on Sep. 1, 1973 (Labor Day weekend) from 11am - Evening.
Monsignor Donald Adams - Pastor
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Kathy Hamilton (Co-Chair) and Sandra Cappelli (horticulture booth) at the 1973 St. Joan of Arc Country Fair. |
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Richard Cappelli, Mrs. Diggins, and Mrs. Malloy prepare for the Country Fair |
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Foods of various national origins, including manicotti, pastelli, halupki and pierogies were featured at the Country Fair.
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Mrs. DiClemente, Msgr. Adams, and Mrs. Bechini display manicotti and pierogies ready for the oven. |
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One of the many attractions at the Country Fair was a Christmas boutique. A Crafts sale and Flea Market also delighted attendees.
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Kit Ryan and Mrs. Kayser show one of the many Christmas items for sale at the Country Fair. |
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A popular attraction at the 1973 Country Fair was the Nail Driving competition.
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Pat Deiling tries his skill at driving a nail in ten blows - EJ DiVittore turned "carnival barker for the day" looks on. |
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Entertainment was plentiful at the 1973 St. Joan of Arc Country Fair.
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Debora Handley, one of the young persons of the parish, who entertained at the Country Fair. |
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Mrs. Kunetz shows puppets to Jane Kayser and Ted Maloy, |
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The Country Fair paved the way for what would become a long running tradition . . . the St. Joan of Arc Annual Festival!
St. Joan of Arc "Freedom Festival" - 1975
In 1975, "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" was the theme of the St. Joan of Arc Freedom Festival.
Monsignor Donald Adams - Pastor
St. Joan of Arc "Freedom Festival" - 1975
In 1975, "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" was the theme of the St. Joan of Arc Freedom Festival.
Monsignor Donald Adams - Pastor
The St. Joan of Arc Freedom Festival was held on June 21, 1975, from 11 am until conclusion.
The Festival featured home cooked food, live entertainment, a square dance, hand-crafted items, a flea market, games, and the launch of a 70-ft. tall hot air balloon!
"Festival '76" marked the first time the annual St. Joan of Arc Festival became a 2-day event.
Monsignor Donald Adams - Pastor
Monsignor Donald Adams - Pastor
St. Joan of Arc 1980 Festival
Flyer - SJA Church Bulletin - June 15, 1980
Monsignor Leo Bierster - Pastor
Flyer - SJA Church Bulletin - June 15, 1980
Monsignor Leo Bierster - Pastor
St. Joan of Arc 1986 Festival
Cruise Ship Theme Flyer
Monsignor Leo Bierster - Pastor
Cruise Ship Theme Flyer
Monsignor Leo Bierster - Pastor
A Tradition Interrupted
The St. Joan of Arc Annual Festival has been a long-running tradition for the parish and community for 50 years, expanding to a 3-day event in recent years.
Unexpectedly, our annual Festival tradition experienced a significant interruption during the Covid pandemic in 2020. That year, despite many challenges and following social gathering guidelines in place at the time, the Festival Committee was still able to hold a small, significantly scaled-down one day outdoor event in October, 2020.
Very Reverend Alfred Sceski, V.F. - Pastor
The St. Joan of Arc Annual Festival has been a long-running tradition for the parish and community for 50 years, expanding to a 3-day event in recent years.
Unexpectedly, our annual Festival tradition experienced a significant interruption during the Covid pandemic in 2020. That year, despite many challenges and following social gathering guidelines in place at the time, the Festival Committee was still able to hold a small, significantly scaled-down one day outdoor event in October, 2020.
Very Reverend Alfred Sceski, V.F. - Pastor
Present Day Festival
In 2021, the annual Festival returned as a 3-day event as life began adjusting to a "new normal", and has continued to draw large crowds since!
In 2021, the annual Festival returned as a 3-day event as life began adjusting to a "new normal", and has continued to draw large crowds since!
St. Joan of Arc 51st Annual Festival - June 5 - 6 - 7, 2025
In a few short weeks the Festival lights will be hung and our 51st Annual Parish Festival will kick-off! The tradition of celebrating Faith, Family and Fun continues!.
St. Joan of Arc parishioners are excited to be celebrating our 51st Annual Festival with our Hershey, PA community. Our popular event is attended by families and individuals from St. Joan of Arc, local residents, and many visitors from surrounding communities! We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you!
In a few short weeks the Festival lights will be hung and our 51st Annual Parish Festival will kick-off! The tradition of celebrating Faith, Family and Fun continues!.
St. Joan of Arc parishioners are excited to be celebrating our 51st Annual Festival with our Hershey, PA community. Our popular event is attended by families and individuals from St. Joan of Arc, local residents, and many visitors from surrounding communities! We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you!
A Legacy of Volunteering
Throughout the years, we thank our prior chairpersons including (but not limited to) parishioners Kathy Hamilton, Rose Ann Maloy, Mrs. Flati, Don and Anita Hayward, Jean Vargo, Sara Hancock, John Traini, Brian Deiling, and Greg Kaiser. The Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women, and numerous other ministries support our Festival. But there are many people who make our Festival what it is! Our leads, sponsors, volunteers, and patrons too! We also thank our priests and sisters who have always lent a helping hand.
The dedicated members of the Festival Committee have been actively working for months to provide a parish gathering and social event that truly offers something for everyone. So mark your calendar now to join us on June 5, 6, 7, 2025 from 5;00 pm to 9:30 pm (inside homemade dinners begin serving at 4 pm each day).
The dedicated members of the Festival Committee have been actively working for months to provide a parish gathering and social event that truly offers something for everyone. So mark your calendar now to join us on June 5, 6, 7, 2025 from 5;00 pm to 9:30 pm (inside homemade dinners begin serving at 4 pm each day).