Apprentices of St. Joseph and Lilies of St. Joseph households joined forces to host a festival in honor of their patron saint. 

St. Joseph Festival took place from 7 to 10 p.m. on March 20 in the J.C. Williams Center. The festival, which boasted free admission, free food, free games and even free raffles, attracted a lively crowd of students. 

The J.C. Williams Center was brightly decorated for the event, with green, yellow, and white streamers draped everywhere. Injecting energy into the ambience, classic rock music from the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel blasted on the speakers. 

Before checking out all the activities, many students first enjoyed some free food. There was plenty of Domino’s pizza, which was meat-free since the event took place on a Friday. Students also gobbled up a variety of donuts and cookies. 

After eating, students enjoyed free activities and games. The staple games of ping-pong, cornhole, and giant Jenga were available in the J.C. atrium. The households also organized some more unique games for students to try, such as human battleships. In one game, students raced against each other to blow down lines of plastic cups.

Students who won these games received free raffle tickets as their prizes. With no limit to the number of tickets they could earn, many students played several games to increase their chances of winning. The raffle baskets included some exciting prizes. One basket was full of candy, and another contained beautiful religious images. Another basket included only one highly coveted prize: a flat-screen TV.

Lilies of St. Joseph household sisters offered free face painting to students, drawing colorful designs like frogs and flowers. They also manned a table selling their signature teas. 

Apprentices of St. Joseph household brothers also had a table with merchandise. They were selling t-shirts, as well as hand-carved crosses, honoring St. Joseph’s identity as a carpenter. 

With food, entertainment and prizes to win, St. Joseph festival was a fun way to support two households and celebrate the feast day of their mutual patron saint, the great St. Joseph.