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St. John Brebeuf Church in Niles recently kicked off summer with their annual SummerFest and Carnival June 28-July 1.

While this year’s blazing temperatures, didn’t prevent the four-day SummerFest and Carnival at St. John Brebeuf Church in Niles from taking place, it may have lessened overall attendance, organizers said.

The June 28 to July 1 festival, which is the church’s signature summer kickoff event, included food, entertainment, games, rides and a pancake breakfast hosted by the St. John Brebeuf Men’s Club on July 1.

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Festival coordinator John Jekot said this was the church’s third annual carnival event, produced by Fantasy Amusement Company, and that at its core it’s a fundraiser.

“While it’s always great to make a profit,” Jekot said, “of equal importance is to bring the parish community together, and to invite the larger Village of Niles and area communities to visit the grounds and the parish.”

The heat was an attendance factor for the St. John Brebeuf Church SummerFest and Carnival in Niles June 28, 2018 to July 1, 2018, but many still came out for the summer kickoff event and fundraiser.
The heat was an attendance factor for the St. John Brebeuf Church SummerFest and Carnival in Niles June 28, 2018 to July 1, 2018, but many still came out for the summer kickoff event and fundraiser.

Carnival organizers say St. John Brebeuf school is the only catholic school in Niles and Morton Grove that is part of the Archdiocese of Chicago. They also say that St. John Brebeuf Catholic Church has an infrastructure that is close to 60 years old and funds are needed for repairs.

The event brings together over 100 volunteers from across a wide range of ministries – from the Men’s Club to the Athletic Department volunteers to the Golden Ager’s Club, and Woman’s ministries, organizers say.

“Our husbands went to school at St. John Brebeuf, so a group of us brought the kids today to enjoy the carnival,” said Lisa Lesniak of Glenview.

Tommy Lesniak of Glenview, St. John Brebeuf Catholic School class of '96 attended the St. John Brebeuf church summer festival with 3-year-old son Joseph. The event was held June 28, 2018 to July 1, 2018 in Niles.
Tommy Lesniak of Glenview, St. John Brebeuf Catholic School class of ’96 attended the St. John Brebeuf church summer festival with 3-year-old son Joseph. The event was held June 28, 2018 to July 1, 2018 in Niles.
Liam Koziol, 13, of Park Ridge, Andrew Podolski, 13, of Niles and Eitan Shlomo, 16, originally from Niles, visiting from Marietta, Georgia, all attended the St. John Brebeuf Church SummerFest and Carnival in Niles June 28, 2018 to July 1, 2018.
Liam Koziol, 13, of Park Ridge, Andrew Podolski, 13, of Niles and Eitan Shlomo, 16, originally from Niles, visiting from Marietta, Georgia, all attended the St. John Brebeuf Church SummerFest and Carnival in Niles June 28, 2018 to July 1, 2018.

Among the weekend evening performance headliners, DJ Cryiel, Libido Funk Circus, Blooze Brothers and the Tony Ocean Show, with special guest Vito Zatto.

Unlimited ride wristbands were available at $25-$30 per person or $20 pre-sale and a pre-sale Mega Pass good for all hours on all days was available for $55 per person, according to festival price schedule.

Food service was provided by Lone Tree Manor under the big tent, along with afternoon Bingo sessions, organizers say.

According to Jekot, last year’s carnival event raised $8,000 and the parish hopes for a sum close to that this year.

“The carnival provides an important opportunity for us to share the parish and school with the larger community, it’s a way of showing off what you’ve got,” Jekot said.