It is tradition, fun, fundraising, fellowship and food rolled into a colorful weekend package.

The 20th annual Charity Fair to benefit Ironton Catholic Schools will be Friday-Monday at St. Joseph High School. What is Charity Fair? It depends on whom you ask.

“A lot of people come in for Memorial Day and come here to see people they don’t normally see any other time of the year,” event chairman Chris Monte said. “There is a lot of stuff for the kids to do, good food, lots of games. It’s good relaxing fun.”

Sissy Clyse, who is development director for the schools, described it as this: “It’s tradition in a social environment. The social environment, I would say, is one of the biggest draws.”

Although no one keeps count of how many people visit each year, it is estimated that a couple thousand festival-goers will participate in the events.

“Usually the biggest audiences are in the evening when bands are playing,” committee co-chair Cathy McKnight said.

The auction is being replaced with a rummage sale that will be 1-3 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

The Charity Fair begins at 9 p.m. Friday and ends with a raffle drawing Monday. Attractions include alumni night on Friday, a bake sale on Monday and food booths and carnival rides throughout the event.

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