For many, it wouldn’t be summer without the annual tradition of attending the Ox Roast Fair at St. Joseph Church in Mantua. This year’s festivities begin on Friday night, July 18th. The fun-filled fest continues through Sunday evening, July 20th featuring fun for the whole family.
This summertime tradition began in 1964 as a way to support the church’s school. Proceeds from the annual event now support the mission and ministry of the church. In fact, many booths and food concessions are staffed by families and friends of St. Joe’s parish.
The namesake of the event – the Ox Roast – will feature Bonner Farms Beef. Up to 3,500 pounds of sirloin roasts are slow roasted in brick-lined pits for hours. Festival visitors line up for these melt-in-your-mouth sandwiches each year. But the Ox Roast is more than just a place for delicious food.
There will be live entertainment on three stages throughout the weekend. Friday evening, there’s karaoke, Disco Inferno, and an amazing fireworks display. Saturday morning begins with the Run of the Ox 5K run/walk and 1-mile Fun Walk. A garden tractor pull and kiddie tractor pull and tractor and semi pulls will entertain the gearheads while midway games and rides, and Jungle Bob’s Educational Zoo offer fun for smaller attendees. Live music from the Graybeard Band and Alex Bevan followed by a Midnight Mass round out Saturday’s events.
The fun continues Sunday with a frog jumping contest, 4WD Pick Up pull, performances by Three Day Weekend, the Walnut Hill Cloggers, Jack Fiorille, Jim Bob & George Karaoke, and the Midnight Riders. Throughout the weekend, there will be casino games, pull tabs and instant bingo games and progressive drawings and 50/50 drawings.
Admission is $5 per vehicle with a discounted rate of $4 on Sunday with a non-perishable donation to the 4C’s Food Cupboard. The St. Joe’s Ox Roast is located on the parish grounds at 11045 St. Joseph Boulevard off Pioneer Trail in Mantua, just a quarter mile west of State Route 44. For more information, visit stjosephmantua.com/ox-roast-fair.
photo courtesy of St. Joe’s Ox Roast
