Melting pot

The Ethnic Festival of Spring Hill will offer a stew of delicacies from around the world beginning Thursday.

By JOY DAVIS-PLATT, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published October 18, 2002

SPRING HILL -- Beginning Thursday, parishioners of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church will invite Hernando County to celebrate cultural differences with plenty of food and entertainment.

During the past decade, the annual Ethnic Festival of Spring Hill has grown and now draws thousands of people for carnival rides, crafts, ethnic foods and entertainment.

"The first time I saw the festival, I was in awe," organizer Janice Ruger said. "This is all put on by the parishioners, and they just do an amazing job."

The four-day festival has become known for its ethnic food tent, filled each year with the scents of Italian, German, Spanish, Irish, Greek and American foods.

"The food is unreal -- delicious and reasonably priced," Ruger said. "Families like to come because the kids can have their hamburgers and hot dogs and the parents can have stuffed cabbage and gyros."

Food preparation for the festival begins three weeks in advance, Ruger said, because it is prepared by parishioners.

"There is really nothing else like it around here," she said. "The only things not homemade are the ice cream and the pizza."

Bargain hunters gather in the parish hall to file past tables of treasures at "Second Hand Rose," a cross between a garage sale and a flea market. The annual charity sale also has grown along with the festival.

Admission and parking for the fair are free, but there is a charge for carnival rides, crafts and food to raise money for the church coffers. Carnival rides will be free from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

At a glance

WHAT: 11th annual Ethnic Festival of Spring Hill

WHEN: Begins Thursday and continues through Oct. 27. Festival hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Oct. 25, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 26 and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 27.

WHERE: On the grounds of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 13485 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill.

COST: Admission and parking are free. Charges for carnival rides, crafts and food.

INFORMATION: Call 688-0663.

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