16 July, 2025
dough-to-go-fundraiser-set-to-replace-st-john-s-festival

A new fundraising event will take the place of the traditional St. John’s Festival this summer in Olean. The Dough-to-Go Fundraiser, organized by St. John the Evangelist Church, is scheduled for Saturday, July 22, 2024, from 15:00 to 19:00. This initiative aims to provide beloved festival foods while supporting the church community.

The fundraiser will feature a selection of items synonymous with the festival. Attendees can purchase both cooked and uncooked pizzas, Italian sausage or meatball sandwiches, and cannolis. Prices will range from $5 for cannolis to $18 for pizzas. All sales will be conducted through pre-orders, with customers encouraged to visit https://emcatholic.org/st-johns-dough-to-go-food-orders to secure their orders in advance.

In addition to the food offerings, the event will host a large raffle drawing at 19:00, featuring a total of $20,000 in cash prizes. Tickets for the raffle can be purchased in advance or on-site before the drawing starts, providing an additional opportunity for community engagement and support.

The St. John’s Festival has been a cherished summer tradition for over 40 years, drawing residents and visitors alike to celebrate the community spirit. However, recent challenges have led to the cancellation of the festival in previous years, particularly during the pandemic. While the festival returned for several years, difficulties surrounding a potential parish merger prompted church officials to reconsider its organization for 2024.

In June 2024, the Diocese of Buffalo announced plans to sell the church property and merge the congregation with the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. This decision generated division among local church officials regarding the feasibility of proceeding with the festival. Ultimately, after intense discussions and feedback from parishioners, the diocese decided not to sell the property. Instead, the church will function as a secondary worship site and will also host the Southern Tier Catholic School.

As the community anticipates the Dough-to-Go Fundraiser, there is a renewed sense of optimism and support for St. John the Evangelist Church. The event not only offers a chance to enjoy beloved festival foods but also serves as a vital fundraiser to bolster the church’s ongoing mission within the North End community.