It was a picture-perfect 60th Ox Roast Fair. Leading the fair was a Eucharistic procession -a reminder of God’s presence at all times. This great event could not have been put on without the tireless efforts of hundreds of volunteers. Many go above and beyond, offering their time, talent, and treasure. Folks from the surrounding area and even out-of-state visitors enjoyed the hospitality of the Parish Community of St. Joseph. We want to especially thank the Sheriffs Office of Portage County. This was Portage North’s Fr. Francis Katrinak’s second Ox Roast Fair experience and he even pitched in to serve Ox Sandwiches. He, along with Fr. Brian Smith, Parochial Vicar, and Fr. Chris Luoni, Sacramental Minister of Portage County, was present at the Fair to enjoy and support the volunteers. Thank you to everyone who supported, volunteered, promoted, donated, and worked on this year’s Ox Roast. This annual parish fundraiser directly supports the educational and sacramental ministries of St. Joseph Parish.
The Fair’s raffle drawings were held on Sunday evening near the event’s closing. Congratulations to all our winners. There is a link on our website for all winners. https://stjosephmantua.com/ox-thanks-appreciation-winners-good-stewards. A special shout out to Larry Kotkowski of Lakeside Sand & Gravel who sold a tremendous amount of raffle tickets by generously matching ticket purchases of his employees each year. Thank you to everyone who supported this part of the 60th Ox Roast Fair.
Now, in its eleventh year, the “Run of the Ox” 5K Run/Walk was held on Saturday morning, and there was a nice showing of participants. It was a perfect morning for the event that had 60+ people participating in this year’s run and a few more taking part in the 1M Fun Run/Walk. Congratulations to our top three finishers Jacob Gerhartt, Augie Schweikert, and Kevin Vechery. Fr Brian placed 3rd in his age group! For a full list of racers published by Run the Land, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/110866#resultSetId-473421;perpage:100. We are grateful to Brian and Jen Hirsch for coordinating our race each year and for their volunteer team. Thank you to our sponsors: University Dental of Garrettsville, The Middlefield Banking Co., Compass Packaging, Jake’s Eats, Oscar Brugmann Sand & Gravel, Lakeside Sand & Gravel, Inc., Ten Six Construction, & WillJen dba McDonald’s.
Thank you to all those who came out to participate in this year’s Tractor, Truck & Semi Pulls. We truly appreciate our chairpersons, Tim Rooth (& his wife, Sue) and crew along with the Geauga County Antique Tractor Pullers Association for running this event. For a list of the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place finishers in each class,please visit the parish’s website Thanks to our sponsors Automotive Service Center, Coia Sales, Edinburgh tractor, Fall & Stebbins Automotive, Falls Metal Fabricators, Kuhnle Bros,, Marshall Power, Sarchione Chevrolet, The Diesel Speed Shop, TL Service Center, and William BenjaminTrucking along with all our banner sponsors.
Another great crowd-pleaser was the Kiddie Tractor Pulls on Saturday. Trophies and cash prizes were awarded to the top winners. Sunday’s Frog Jumping Contest was a hopping good time with cash prizes. This ever-popular event provided some old-fashioned fun for everyone. We thank Kaley Furner and her crew for chairing this event.
Three fun-filled days of karaoke participants saw cash prizes being awarded to (1) Pam Wenger, (2)David Mannin and (3) Dan Halansky. Thank you to all of our karaoke contest participants and Jim Bob & George for running this event.
Russ Renninger assisted in collecting non-perishable products for Mantua’s community cupboard, the 4C’s on Sunday. Canned goods and other items were delivered to the 4C’s who were most appreciative on behalf of those in need. oseph donated sixty pounds of Ox Meat as well as sides to the Haven of Portage, Center of Hope in Ravenna & Catholic Charities in Ravenna who were truly grateful.
Several of our Parish Groups and individuals need to be thanked for their efforts at this year’s Fair. Members of the Knights of Columbus Council #3766 volunteered a tremendous amount of time helping with maintenance, set-up, and
take-down as well as working throughout the Fair. Boy Scout Troop #575 members and their families continued delicious fundraising efforts with their Sausage Sandwich booth. This hard-working group of young men put forth a tremendous effort in helping with Fair set-up, cleaning the grounds, and take-down of the Fair. The BSA Troop #7575 had the girls and their families serving up Soft Serve & Slushies all weekend. Members of Cub Scout Pack #3575 manned the Pop Booth once again this year. The 8th Count Dance Studio manned the Corn Dog/Funnel Cake Booth. The Crestwood Youth Wrestling group did a terrific job assisting with parking on the grounds to help raise funds for themselves and the parish, and with Aurora’s Our Lady of Perpetual Help Knights of Columbus Council #14186 who provided delicious kettle corn. Friends from Jake’s Eats and the Downtown Mantua Revitalization Committee (DMRC), graciously volunteered their time at this year’s Fair.
Did you know that one of St. Joseph’s parishioners, Ken Zander, has designed many of the Ox Roast T-shirts? It began in 2000 with the colorful Ox Battling a Tractor design.This year’s design was a mining scene with diamonds reflecting our 60th Diamond anniversary. Congratulations to our Coloring contest winners: Oliva, Matthew, Amaris & Brayden. We are most grateful to Ken for offering his talents nearly every year since 2003 including an “Ox worker’s” design (look for many of them on St. Joseph’s website). We also use Ken’s design on the souvenir mugs and cups, and the Run of the Ox shirts.
Trade booths at this year’s fair included: Akron Henna Art, AWL Transport, Bath Experts, Bath Fitter/Kitchen Saver, Buckeye Boilers, CASA of Portage County, Christian Santillan, Cowboy’s Choice, Cutco Cutlery, Edinburgh Tractor Sales, Erin’s Home Decor and More, FRBR, Home Genius Exteriors, Inkas Crafts, JaZa Jewels, JBL Roofing and Construction, Jerusalem Arts, Joyce Factory Direct, JR Bath, Lang’s Classic Pickles, Marshall Power Equipment, Ohio State Waterproofing, Portage Co. Republican Party, Portage Co. Sheriff, Solder Solutions, LLC, Tastefully Simple, Universal Windows Direct, VanBoxel Kitchen and Flooring, Window Depot/Home Team Improvement, Parish Booth / St. Joseph Cares. Thank you to each of them for adding to the festivities
The Ox Roast Fair also wishes to thank several generous businesses who donated items for this year’s event: Thank you for the Gift cards from Bibury & Co., Cellar Door Coffee Co., Crooked River Flowers, Gifts & More, Domino’s Pizza-Garrettsville, Greg & Jay D’Aurelio, Jake’s Eats, Janson Brothers Hardware, Kira’s Sweet Bakes, Mike Ink tattoo Studio, Sisterhood of St Joseph’s, Hats Off To Our 2024 Mug Sponsors: A & B Masonry, Carlton Harley-Davidson, Denny Herr & Sons Well Drilling, Dr Thomas Pesarchick DDS, Freedom Construction Supply, Jake’s Eats, Lakeside Sand & Gravel, Mike Ink Tattoo Studio, Oscar Brugmann Sand & Gravel, Inc., Perfect Choice Auto Collision, Pochedly Farms, Quality Car Care/Fishnet Motorsports, Sarchione Chevrolet of Garrettsville, TL Service Center, Inc., Todd’s Tree Service. St. Joseph’s would also like to express their appreciation to the Entertainment Main Stage sponsor, Oscar Brugmann Sand & Gravel, to the EMS Squad sponsor, Lakeside Sand & Gravel, to Mantua Station Drug Co. who helped with flier printing expenses, and to anyone who donated or supported this year’s event in any way.
The Parish Community of St. Joseph’s looks forward to entertaining and meeting the Mantua community and beyond in 2025. Mark your calendars for the third weekend in July 2025 (that’s the 18th, 19th & 20th) for St. Joseph’s 61st Ox Roast Fair. Be sure to visit their website, https://stjosephmantua.com/ox-roast-fair, for complete details. They also have a Facebook page, St. Joseph’s Ox Roast Fair, with lots of photos and news. Again, St. Joe’s thanks everyone who made this year’s Fair such a community success.
