Church festival summer

Nothing says Cincinnati summer like a catholic church festival. To me, seeing the yard signs for these festivals is more of an unofficial start to summer than Memorial day.  There's just something about the smell of beer and fried food, the sight of children smiling with delight while riding the questionably safe rides, and the sound of the Big Six wheel spinning that makes me so incredibly happy!

Where else can you go and stuff your face with 2000+ calories without really thinking about it, spend 25 cents in the hopes of winning 25 dollars, inevitably run into several grade school friends, throw back a couple beers with Father John, and listen to live music, all while raising money for a church?  Out of all the festivals that I've been to over the years, I've never stepped foot inside any of the churches that are throwing these parties fundraisers.  That doesn't mean that I'm not going to graciously attend their event, thank you very much.

I think I speak on behalf of most Cincinnatians when I say:  we love our Reds, we love our chili, we love our ice cream, and we love our festivals.  Come on in summer, I've missed you...