Twenty years ago, Jenny Waites and Vivian Fritzinger spearheaded the first SligoFest to benefit the Sligo United Methodist Church where the event is hosted and the Sligo Community Center. The event will start 11 a.m. Saturday.
“Over the years it has grown,” said Waites. “Some years we’ve had more than 300 people.”
“We’ve even had people come from other states,” she said. Illinois, Oklahoma and Indiana to name a few. “There’s also a gentleman who used to come from Sligo, Ireland,” said Waites. “Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to come recently due to some health problems,” said Waites.
Normally, the festival is held in March around St. Patrick’s Day, but was postponed due to concerns about COVID-19—so, on the menu during Sligo fest is an all-you-can-eat meal of corned beef, cabbage, and reubens will be served from 12-4 p.m. at $10 per person.
“People look forward to it,” she said. “Whenever we go around, people always ask us if we’re having SligoFest this year.”
The event boasts craft booths, two quilts raffled and live music. This year C & S Folk Company will be performing at the event, which consists of Chris Case and Kathy Summers.