Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Hattiesburg will host the 20th annual Irish-Italian Festival Saturday, March 18, immediately following Mass, from 5-10 p.m. in the parking lot directly behind the church, located at 3117 West 4th St. across from the University of Southern Mississippi campus. Admission is free and all are welcome; tickets for food and beverages will be available for purchase at the entrance.
The festival will feature great food, music, and fellowship that make it one of South Mississippi’s most popular annual spring events for the last two decades. The menu includes Irish stew, spaghetti and meatballs, sausage dogs, pizza, cotton candy and spirits, as well as a variety of deserts. The festival will also feature games for kids, a silent auction and an art show featuring the work of some of the Pine Belt’s best local artists, including beautiful artwork by local school children.
Festival organizers are seeking donations for its silent auction; items will be posted online and available for bidding beginning March 6. All donations can be dropped off at the church office and must be received by Friday, March 3.
For questions about the festival or silent auction, call or text Renee Brett at 601.498.7309 or Kim Busche at 601.299.2815, email southernbusches@aol.com; or email the church at church@stthomas-usm.org or call 601.264.5192. Visit the church Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/