FAIRFIELD— It’s back! After a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the region’s most sought-after end-of-summer festival will soon be here. This year, SeptemberFest begins Friday, September 17 at 6 pm and runs through 6 pm on Sunday, September 19 on the grounds at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, located at 545 Stratfield Road in Fairfield, CT.
Anyone who is “in the know” knows that summer is not complete without this family and community event. “We remain very excited to announce the return on this year’s SeptemberFest at Our Lady of the Assumption! Come one, come all, come of all ages from one week to over 100 years old,” invites Father Peter Cipriani, pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Church.
He continues, “Celebrating with family and friends should never be something that is put on hold, and after this very challenging and isolating last year, let us come together sharing a much needed and much blessed time of fellowship, fun, and great food! It’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face and great warmth in your hearts for many months to come!”
Father Peter is right! The whir of rides, the resonance of children squealing in delight, and the din of families and friends sharing in laughter and conversation will once again combine with the heavenly aroma of fried dough, porchetta, meatballs, and other “fest favs.” With both gentle and exhilarating amusement rides, a multitude of games and prizes, 50/50 raffles, a parish raffle with awesome prizes (drawing takes place on Sunday evening at the festival’s close), bingo, and amazing house-made SeptemberFest fare (including pizza fritta, pizza, ziti, grinders, sausage and peppers, hot dogs, hamburgers, kielbasa, roast beef, beverages, ice cream and much more), SeptemberFest provides fun for the entire community. Admission is free. Ride tickets must be purchased to go on the amusement rides. Attendees are encouraged to use good judgment and adhere to town and state policies regarding masking and social distancing while on property. Wristband ride specials (purchase required) are available for unlimited rides on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1 to 6 pm. Hours of operation (weather dependent) are Friday from 6 pm to 10:30 pm, Saturday from 1 pm to 10:30 pm, and Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm.
(For additional information, contact the parish office at 203.333.9065 or visit www.assumptionfairfield.org.)
History of SeptemberFest and Our Lady of the Assumption Church
What began as a small parish festival 28 years ago has grown into one of the most sought-after ‘end of summer’ community traditions in Fairfield and the surrounding areas. SeptemberFest is the parish’s largest annual fundraiser and boasts thousands of attendees and volunteers over the course of three days who enjoy the variety of activities for all ages from toddlers to centenarians. Our Lady of the Assumption was established in 1922 as a mission from St. Thomas Church of Fairfield. One year after its establishment, Our Lady of the Assumption became a parish of its own. In 1938 parish membership was at 650. Today the parish boasts a membership of over 1,350 registered and several hundred unregistered families. It is under the guidance of its pastor, Father Peter Cipriani.
