Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church will host its 47th Annual Spring Festival fundraising event on school grounds from March 3 - 6.
The tradition of family fun features rides, amusements, a food court and entertainment.
There will be more than 20 carnival rides and attractions and for toddlers, a special kiddie ride section.
Festival-goers can view Miami Lakes from the top of the Ferris wheel or aboard the Free Fall; Polar Express; Screamer; Vertigo; Orbiter; Firestorm; Cliffhanger; Pharaoh’s Fury; the Slide; Starship Zero Gravity and many other rides.
“If you come to our Festival, you are guaranteed a great time!” Father Flavio Montes said in a media release.
Local businesses will also participate with exhibits.
Booths at the food court will offer dishes from Latin/Cuban menus, Mexican, Colombian, Jamaican, Filipino, Spanish tapas and standard fair fare such as barbecue, pizza, burgers, funnel cakes, smoothies and Caesar salads.
“Due to its well-earned reputation, an increasing number of people attend this festival to eat some of the most delicious food made fresh especially for attendees,” Rafael Rodriguez, chair of the festival committee said in the statement.
The main stage will feature DJs and performances by bands.
Those interested in performing should contact Jeanelle Ramon at Jeanelleramon@gmail.com for information.
Admission is free but rides require tickets.
The presale discount is $20 for the first two days, $25 for Saturday and Sunday and $50 for all four days, the website says.
Bracelets will allow carnival-goers to ride as often as they wish and may be purchased at a discount before or after Masses on Feb. 19 - 20 and Feb. 26 - 27.
Bracelets will also be sold at the church gift shop between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on the festival website, www.ollnet.com/festival.
During the festival, bracelets will be sold at higher prices.
For those feeling lucky there will be two raffles: One grand prize of $2,500 and subsequent prizes of $1,000, $500 and $250.
Raffle tickets will be sold at the church office and at the raffle booth during the festival.
The second special raffle has three cash prizes: First prize up to $7,000, second prize up to $5,000 and third prize up to $2,500, which will be drawn on Sunday night.
Special prize tickets are available at the church gift shop. Ask for Rosa Gangi or call 305-558-2202.
Those interested in volunteering should contact Julie Sierra at gbsierra@gmail.com.
Firms who wish to sponsor the festival may call Nicole Schoen at 305-362-5315 ext. 616 or email nschoen@ollnet.com.
The festival is the primary fundraiser for the church and school; the church said proceeds support the operating budget.
The festival hours, at 15801 NW 67th Ave., are Thursday, March 3, from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Friday, March 4 from 5 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 5 from 1 p.m. -11:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 6 from noon - 9 p.m.