Every year, I say to myself that I'm finally going to make it to SausageFest, an annual festival…read morehosted in late Summer/early Fall by Saint Thomas Aquinas Church at 46th and Illinois.
This is the church's biggest fundraiser of the year, though strangely enough admission is actually free (food, beer, wine, desserts available at varying prices).
The festival features, you guessed it, sausage (from L.E. Kincaid and Sons), along with beer from Sun King and a variety of other food and dessert options. There's a beer & wine garden (over 21, of course) and a bunch of activities for the kids including inflatables, games, a dunk tank, face painting, and even a back party lot for teens with a DJ. There's also a main stage with music.
As I drive by this way nearly every evening on my way home from work, this was an easy stop for me. The event this year was held this past Friday/Saturday from 5:30pm-Midnight. Yes, it gets crowded. However, I found parking to be pretty simple even without trying to find an accessible spot (I'd imagine there's an arrangement - I didn't ask).
I'd visited St. Thomas Aquinas back when I was exploring churches. I recall really enjoying the people. This event reminded me why. They were friendly, helpful, considerate, and just plain fun to be around. At some point, I even stopped making "bless the sausage" jokes. It took me a while.
The menu included beer, sausages (of course), pizza, wine, bottled water, soft drinks, sides, desserts, and other items. Byrne Grilled Pizza, which has a storefront about a mile north, was onsite.
I'm very often off on one of my fundraising trips when this event comes around, however, I definitely want to visit it again. The food was great, the people were awesome, the atmosphere was welcoming, and despite my aversion to large crowds I really enjoyed it.
I'll be back.