The traditional St. John’s Festival will not take place this summer, as St. John the Evangelist Church in Olean has announced a replacement event, the Dough-to-Go Fundraiser. Scheduled for 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, the fundraiser will be held in the church parking lot and aims to bring beloved festival foods to the community.
According to officials from the Enchanted Mountains Catholic Community, the event will feature a selection of iconic dishes typically found at the St. John’s Festival. Attendees can purchase both cooked and uncooked pizzas, Italian sausage or meatball sandwiches, and cannolis, with prices ranging from $5 for cannolis to $18 for pizzas. All sales will be conducted via presale, and interested individuals can place their orders through the church’s website.
The Dough-to-Go Fundraiser also includes a large raffle with $20,000 in cash prizes. The drawing for the raffle will commence at 7 p.m., and tickets can be purchased either before the event or online. All proceeds from the fundraiser will support St. John the Evangelist Church.
For over four decades, the St. John’s Festival has been a significant summer event in the North End, drawing community members together to celebrate and enjoy various activities. However, challenges arose in recent years. The festival was canceled during the pandemic years, and although it returned for a few years, organizers faced difficulties in 2024 due to potential parish merger discussions.
In June 2024, the Diocese of Buffalo announced intentions to sell the church and its grounds, which would result in merging the congregation with the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. Local church officials experienced uncertainty regarding the festival’s future as discussions about the church’s fate continued. Ultimately, they decided to move forward with the 42nd edition of the festival after appeals from parishioners.
In a surprising turn of events, the diocese announced in September that the property would remain unsold. Instead of being sold, it will serve as a secondary worship site and home for the Southern Tier Catholic School, allowing the community to maintain a connection to their church while continuing to support local events like the Dough-to-Go Fundraiser.
The Dough-to-Go Fundraiser represents not only a continuation of community tradition but also an opportunity for local residents to gather and support their church during a time of transition.
