Story by Mary Kroner
Lincoln (SNR) – The annual Kermes Hispanic Festival held by Cristo Rey Parish in Lincoln will be celebrated Saturday, June 26, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with many exciting new changes.
The Kermes Hispanic Festival is an annual celebration of faith, family, and cultures. Carnival games, ethnic foods, and live entertainment are featured throughout the day.
Last year, the festival was cancelled due to the pandemic. Father Ramon Decaen, pastor of Cristo Rey Parish in Lincoln, explained that since this was the case, the celebration of the festival this year takes on an even greater significance.
“We couldn’t spend time with our friends in the way we are accustomed to do. We were even separated from family members. Our Catholic faith reminds us that we are one family, the family of God and this celebration brings us all together: children, adults, elderly, people of all races and backgrounds,” Father Decaen said.
Father Decaen encourages all people to come to the festival and support Cristo Rey Parish and the Hispanic community, both of which were hit especially hard during the pandemic.
“Now that the city of Lincoln is recovering, this is a great way to support a very important outreach in the city,” Father Decaen said.
As in past years, there will be a raffle with a grand prize of $10,000. The Kermes Festival is also a fundraiser which supports various needs of the Cristo Rey community, such as payments toward the church building debt and other general budget items.
Many of the funds raised will also go to support youth services, which is a significant part of Cristo Rey’s mission.
According to Father Decaen, Cristo Rey has the largest CCD program in the diocese, with just under 400 children enrolled. Father Decaen said the parish also sends children to Catholic schools in the city of Lincoln, which do a great job providing opportunities for the youth to know the Lord.
Cristo Rey Parish has a unique role in the community because it ministers specifically to those who speak Spanish.
Acknowledging the difficulties that result from language barriers, Father Decaen stated, “We are called to evangelize and Cristo Rey Parish is the hub for outreach to the Spanish-speaking of the city of Lincoln.
“A Spanish-speaking parish opens the doors to the thousands of individuals and families in the city who speak Spanish,” he continued. “We provide a place where the cultures and the languages meet in a Catholic environment.”
This year, the Kermes Hispanic Festival will be held at Haymarket Park.
In addition to carnival games, food, and entertainment, there will be a baseball game at 7 p.m. between the Lincoln Saltdogs and the Kansas City Monarchs.
“This celebration celebrates the Hispanic cultures that are a part of our great nation. And what better way than with the background of a baseball game!” Father Decaen said.
Admission to the festival and game is $4 per person. Children under 6 are admitted free.
