St. Mary’s Block Party Celebrates 22 Years on Saturday with Family Fun, Funds Raised go to Cathedral Restoration Projects

(KNSI) – The St. Mary’s Block Party will bring family fun to downtown St. Cloud on Saturday.

Block Pary Chair John Munson told KNSI News, it’s like a big reunion. “It’s just a great way to end the summer. A lot of times, as families get back together again, they haven’t seen each other for a while. All are welcome. This is not just a St Mary’s event. Everybody’s invited. There’s free admission. And, it’s a great time.”

He says money raised from the get-together keeps the iconic building standing. “This is a fundraiser for the church, and it’s mostly for the restoration of the cathedral. Of course, a historic landmark in St Cloud, and it takes a lot of maintenance to keep the facility up.”

Proceeds from this year’s event will help restore the cathedral’s large front doors. After over a century of being the backdrop for numerous baptisms, confirmation graduations and wedding photos, it’s showing its age.

This year’s block party has all the classic events returning, including bingo, a 50/50 raffle, kids’ carnival games, inflatable bounce houses, food, a specialty beer brewed by Pantown Brewing, and a silent auction. Nate Golddaddy, Harper’s Chord, and headliner Janelle Kendall and the Perfect Storm will hit the stage to provide music for the evening.

The 22nd annual parish fundraiser’s festivities begin with Mass inside the cathedral at 4:00 p.m., with the entertainment starting at 5:00 p.m. outside St. Mary’s Cathedral. The festival also falls on the Feast of St. Cloud, the patron saint the city draws its name from.

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