Hundreds Attend St. Joseph Parish Festival in Dexter

With temperatures soaring into the mid-90s, hundreds of visitors braved the heat for the annual in Dexter on Saturday.

The event, which serves as the church’s chief yearly fundraiser, featured carnival games, live entertainment, food, raffles, inflatable obstacle courses and chicken dinners, among other activities.

“It’s a lot of fun to see my kids enjoying themselves while supporting a good cause,” Cathy Krasny of Ypsilanti said.

Krasny said this is her first year attending the festival.

“I enjoyed the craft show. I bought a couple of things for my daughters and I even found something for myself,” she said.

Susan DeRosia, a local crafter who sells crocheted necklaces, said she saw a steady stream of customers throughout the day on Saturday.

“We almost had a crisis when the wind broke two of our tents (Saturday morning),” she said.

An avid crafter, DeRosia said she began selling crocheted necklaces, which feature ribbon and beads threaded together, this year.

“It takes about a half hour to make a necklace,” she said.

Raynette Kempf of Ann Arbor makes “silly bean pillows” and sock monkeys, which she said are a top seller at the festival.

“I retired from the university and I was looking for something to do, so I started sewing,” she said. “The sock monkeys are a big hit at festivals and at Dexter Daze.”

Fellow crafter Michele Magiera said she has been attending the St. Joseph Parish Festival for several years.

“I come for the social aspect of it and to sell my wares,” she said.

All vendors will be available again today from noon to 6 p.m. at the festival grounds, 6805 Mast Rd. in Dexter. For a complete list of events, visit the church website. The drawing for the $5,000 grand prize raffle will take place at 6 p.m. Tickets are available in the festival's main tent.

Check out our complete coverage of the festival on Monday.