WALLINGFORD — Most Holy Trinity Parish’s 55th annual Bazaar kicks off this week in the heart of Wallingford’s downtown.
The festival takes place on the church grounds at 84 N. Colony Street, located just off Route 5 beginning June 3. It runs from 6-10 p.m on weekdays, with extended hours of 2 to 10 p.m. on the final day, Saturday.
The bazaar is the church's largest fundraiser and hosts a number of rides and stalls with a variety of hand-made meals and snacks.
Event organizer Bob Cassello said he wants everyone to be safe and attend, noting that he anticipated this year to have good weather and hopefully be their biggest year yet.
“Just come and have a good time," he said. "Bring a good spirit and come to enjoy and have fun. We don't want anybody to leave here with a frown on their face. We want people to walk out of here with a smile and happiness in their heart knowing they’ve been here to a great church and a great event.”
Here's what you need to know.
Where should people park?
Attendants are encouraged to park in the lots behind the old train station at 37 Hall Ave. and off Meadow and Williams Streets and walk to the bazaar from there.
Cassello said several thousand people are expected to attend over the week with several hundred each day, bringing significant traffic into the busiest area of downtown Wallingford along a five-way intersection with Route 5.
While there used to be a parking lot adjacent to the church itself, new construction has closed it off. If the lots behind the train station are filled, there are also municipal parking lots available behind the Center Street businesses, accessed via Meadow and Williams streets, but attendees will have to cross Route 5 to get to the church.
What rides will there be?
The bazaar features a variety of carnival rides for all ages.
Wrist bands for the 14 rides and carnival games on the property cost $35 for unlimited rides — with a marked down price on the final day to $30. There are smaller rides like mobile cars moving along a track, a carousel, teacups, and others that are suitable for smaller children.
Other rides include swinging chairs, a hang glider and a large multi-lane slide.
One of the more recent additions, the Ferris Wheel, will also return. Cassello said the current model debuted four years ago at the bazaar and is one of the tallest in the state.
What food is available?
The bazaar offers a wide selection of food, which is hand-prepared by parishioners. Offerings include cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, baked potatoes, hot dogs, meatball grinders, Philly cheesesteaks and street corn.
There are also several Mexican specials to appeal to Wallingford’s diverse Hispanic community, with tamales served every evening and quesabirrias served on Wednesday and Saturday as part of the nightly specials. Clams-on-the-half-shell and shrimp will also be served on Wednesday and Thursday, with a full chicken dinner offered Friday.
Doughnuts, coffee and cider are available every night and can be bought by the dozen.
Return of the raffle
The bazaar will again host a raffle in its country store after stopping around the pandemic.
The more than 25 baskets are full of a variety of different items, including handbags, kitchen essentials, sportsware and food. Tickets cost a dollar. The drawing for the prizes will take place Saturday evening.
The store has a variety of jewelry and candy available for purchase.
What does the event raise money for?
The bazaar is the biggest event held by the Most Holy Trinity Church and serves to kick off the early summer season in Wallingford, with all ticket sales and proceeds going to fund the church and its operations and community outreach efforts.
The Catholic church is one of the older and most prominent buildings in town, sitting directly on Route 5 along the town’s prominent five-way intersection. While the first cornerstone for the church was laid in 1857, the building as it’s known today is slightly younger, having been completed and dedicated in 1887.