By Allison Peck
Listen to the full interview on our Kubota Podcast
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte is preparing for its annual Block Party this weekend, with two days of food, entertainment, games and fellowship planned for the community.
Father Jonathan Sorensen and Maddie Krebs joined Allison Peck on the North Platte Post to talk about the event, which will be held Saturday and Sunday behind the church on Fifth Street.
Sorensen said the event is about more than just having a good time — it is an opportunity to bring people together.
“Community is just part of the life of Jesus in a church,” Sorensen said. “It’s never just me and Jesus. It’s also we and Jesus.”
Saturday’s festivities will run from 6:30 to 10 p.m. in the parking lot behind the church. The evening will feature a free-will donation nacho bar, a beer garden with selections from Ape Ship Brewing, and live entertainment from Kim Baxter.
The Nebraska football game will also be shown on a television at the event, giving Husker fans a chance to watch the game while spending the evening with friends and neighbors.
Krebs said Saturday is geared more toward adults, while Sunday’s event will focus on families.
Sunday’s Block Party will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fifth Street between Chestnut and Walnut will be closed for the event, with outdoor games and bounce houses available for children. Wristbands will allow children to participate in the games and bounce houses throughout the event.
A bake sale will be held inside the church, and a meal will include shredded beef, potatoes and green beans. Double Dips will also be on hand selling desserts.
The Block Party also includes several raffle opportunities.
Two-dollar tickets are available for a main raffle featuring prizes including the opportunity to reserve a Christmas and Easter pew at St. Patrick’s, a religious statue, a television, local business gift cards, four Husker volleyball tickets to the Ohio State game and four Husker men’s basketball tickets to the Lindenwood game.
A separate $50 raffle offers a grand prize of a full year of tuition to North Platte Catholic Schools, valued at approximately $5,000. Only 200 tickets are being sold for that drawing.
Krebs said tickets are still available through the St. Patrick’s Church office, the church website and Facebook page, as well as through parishioners.
The Block Party is open to everyone, regardless of whether they attend St. Patrick’s.
“If you’re not available to come Saturday, come Sunday, bring your kids,” Krebs said. “And just when you’re there, you’ll feel the love of Jesus and you’ll be able to see what fellowship is about at St. Pat’s.”
For more information about the Block Party and raffle tickets, contact St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or visit the church’s website and Facebook page.