The annual Seven Sorrows Festival, featuring a car show, a flea market, children's games, homemade food, musical entertainment and more, will take place on Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 19 to 21, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) Parish in Middletown.

The festival will open on Aug. 19 with a car show and music provided by DJ Joe T. New this year on Thursday will be a food truck event. Vendors will include Sittin' Pickin' Chickin', The Lucky Penny Burger Co., Marsico's A Taste of Italy, Grappling Crab Shack, 717 Tacos and Sunset Slush.

On Friday, Aug. 20, there will be live music by Dovetail. An inflatable bounce house will be offered for children on both Friday and Saturday, and a DJ will provide music on Saturday.

Activities will be held in the Seven Sorrows BVM Elementary School parking lot, as well as inside the school building. "Indoors is our very famous flea market in the gym downstairs," noted Donna Huggins, who is co-chair of the festival along with Judi Leo. This year's flea market will feature approximately 49 tables filled with merchandise that has been donated by school and church families.

Bingo will take place in the school cafeteria, and visitors can purchase ethnic foods to eat in or for takeout. Among the selections will be homemade lasagna rolls with meatballs, Polish stuffed cabbage with haluski, pierogies and baked goods. Farm Show milkshakes will be available on Aug. 21.

"We also serve normal cookout food outside: hamburgers, hot dogs, Schmit's sausage, fresh-cut fries and our popular funnel cakes that are 100% homemade and made to order," said Huggins. Beer and wine will also be offered for sale at the festival for the first time.

Also new this year is an appearance by the magic bus. "It's a Volkswagen bus and they have props, and you can get your photo taken with the bus," Huggins noted.

There will also be an opportunity for people to win a handmade quilt, as well as gift baskets that have been assembled by parish members. "Each basket is worth at least $75, and there are a plethora of themes," Huggins explained. "We will (sell) tickets on the night of the festival, and you put your ticket in front of the basket you want to win."

All proceeds from the festival will benefit the parish. "It's a fundraiser for the church, but it is also a community event," Huggins said. "It's a way for the community to socialize and have fun."

The festival was canceled in 2020, and this year's event is being held later than usual to allow more time for the pandemic to ease. "We usually run it in June, but this year we moved it to August," said Huggins.

At least 200 volunteers from the parish family will contribute their time before, during and after the festival to make it a success. "Volunteers not only work at the event, but they help with setup and making the food," said Huggins. "There are also so many volunteers over the course of months who help with the planning."

Seven Sorrows BVM Parish is located at 280 N. Race St., Middletown. For more information, visit http://www.ssbvm.org.