BY JULIE IRWIN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
What a difference a year makes.
Last year this time, endless rain and subpar temperatures were the bane of church summer festival planners, hitting many churches where it hurts: in the pocketbook.
"Saturday (of last year's festival) was practically a wipeout, it was so bad," said Aggie Morse, parish secretary at Christ the King Catholic Church in Mount Lookout, where the annual festival is held June 5-7 this year. "We didn't bring in nearly the money we did the year before."
This weekend kicks off the traditional festival season, celebrated with particular verve in Hamilton County.
"It's rained seven out of the last eight years, and the last two years have been major rains," said Mark Specker, business manager at St. Dominic in Delhi Township, whose festival is this weekend.
The festivals can bring in more than $100,000 at some churches and have evolved into a crucial source of funding.
A cold or rainy day on festival weekend can cause a financial hit, so some parishes turn to a higher power for help.
"We've been praying for good weather," said Julie Roller-Stratton, co-chair of the festival at St. Michael in Sharonville, scheduled for June 5-7.
List of Tristate festivals
