Continuing a long-standing tradition, Christ the King Catholic Church Pastor Fr. Tommie Jennings and May Festival Committee Chair Cheryl Blackwell announced that the church will hold its annual May Festival on Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and invite the entire community to come out for two days of family fun and fellowship at this free event. Said Festival Organizer Bob Needham, “the main purpose of the festival is to meet and know your neighbor and community and to become community. We want people to share fun, food and an old fashioned good time.” Added Blackwell, “the festival fund-raiser carries on a long-standing Christ the King tradition of bringing the community together in fellowship to learn about and enjoy each other’s cultures.”
The May Festival began in the 1950s as a Mardi Gras celebration organized by parishioners each February, which featured a parade down Imperial Avenue from 25th Street to Christ the King Catholic Church on 32nd Street, complete with floats, clowns, marching bands, cars, drill teams and a king and queen.
In the 1970s, after being rained out several times, the festival was moved to May to avoid winter storms and renamed the May Festival.
This year’s festival will include entertainment, delicious BBQ hot links, Mexican and Filipino cuisine, funnel cakes, raffles, and a Fun Zone with festival games and activities.
Confirmed for this year’s entertainment lineup are the Panamanian Folkloric Dancers, the Monte Vista High School Polynesian Group, the Monte Vista High School Step Team, Ballet Folklórico Cristo Rey, Ballet Folklórico Fiesta de Colores, Mariachi Real de San Diego, the Dennis Dawson Jazz Ensemble and the Christ the King Youth Choir. Larry “Preacherman” Thompson, of 1040 AM KURS, San Diego’s 7/24 gospel music radio station, will emcee this year’s May Festival. More performers will be added, so check the church’s website www.christthekingsd.org, for updates and schedule of performances.
Christ the King Catholic Church is located in Southeast San Diego, an area that has been hit hard by the recent recession, and parishioners have lost their jobs and homes in significant numbers. However, the church continues to serve as a beacon of hope where people from all races, backgrounds, socio-economic and educational levels from all over San Diego County come together to worship. This fund-raiser will help the Christ the King community to make some much-needed repairs to the facilities including fixing leaks in the church and refurbishing the church hall, a gathering place for worshipers of all ages.
Christ the King Catholic Church is located at 29-32nd Street (at Imperial Avenue), next to the 32nd and Commercial Trolley Station, in San Diego. Parking is extremely limited and festival organizers strongly encourage attendees to use public transportation. Contact the Christ the King Catholic Church at 619-231-8906 or ctksandiego@sbcglobal.net, or visit the church website at www.christthekingsd.org for more information.