BY JOHN KACHUBA
Enquirer Contributor
EVENDALE -- Musical entertainment takes center stage at St. Rita Fest '98 this weekend, with bands and DJs performing a variety of music for the festival, one of the area's oldest and largest.
IF YOU GO
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What: St. Rita Fest '98. Where: St. Rita School for the Deaf, 1720 Glendale-Milford Road in Evendale.
When: 7 p.m. to midnight Friday, 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday and 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Directions: Take Exit 14 (Woodlawn - Evendale exit) off Interstate 75; watch for signs to St. Rita.
Information: 772-7005.
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The Bennett Beverage Dance Pavilion, complete with a wood dance floor, is new at this year's festival, on the grounds of St. Rita School for the Deaf.
Friday night is Rock 'n' Roll Night, beginning at 8 p.m. with a DJ from WVMX-FM (94.1) playing music from the '70s, '80s, and '90s. At 10 p.m., Hit Charade takes the stage. Saturday is Country Night, with line dancing and country music from a WUBE-FM (105.1) DJ at 8 p.m., followed by the Todd Henry band. Bravo Sierra plays from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday during Oldies Night. Admission to the pavilion is $2 per person.
"We wanted to bring in new people who had never been here before," said Jodi K. Weiser, the school's public relations coordinator. "So we offered three different types of music to attract different types of people."
The festival, in its 82nd year, benefits St. Rita School, the nation's only privately funded school for the deaf. Proceeds from the festival generate about 7 percent of the school's annual operating budget, Ms. Weiser said. "The money helps to keep us up to date, keeps everything running."
As many as 150,000 people are expected at the festival, enjoying more than 100 attractions, including games, rides, prizes and food. A Kiddie Land, with food, rides and games, will cater to the younger set.
In addition, local TV and radio personalities will be on hand to announce events, and Cincinnati Cyclones and Silverbacks players will greet visitors and provide sports tips at their booths on the grounds.
At 4 p.m. Saturday, the Roger Bacon Marching Band, recently returned from a visit to Russia, will play for the flag-raising ceremony.
Raffles will offer prizes totaling more than $50,000, including a choice of a Chevrolet vehicle, Sea-Doo Watercraft and vacation trips. The drawing will be 10 p.m. Sunday.
