The St. Edwards Catholic Church annual Faith Fair drew a massive crowd with free live entertainment.

Money raised by the fair goes towards the church’s insurance, which according to Father Donald Bernard, is one of the church’s greatest expenses. The event usually raises over $100,000, but this year it was bigger than ever.

“It’s a way to generate income without being a burden to all the other things we need to do,” Bernard said.

Sherial Conner served with the church fair for many years, but this year she was elevated to co-chair, and the event saw many other changes. Not only did they get a new pastor in Donald Bernard, this was the first year the fair offered free live entertainment.

In past years, the fair was held on the school grounds, but Conner thought the free entertainment would attract a larger crowd, and opted to move the fair into the street.

“We needed the space and I tried to make them understand that. Well they understand now,” Conner said.

The kid’s corner is an annual staple of the faith fair, and its dunking booth had a “star-studded” cast. Mayor Freddie DeCourt, Sheriff Tommy Romero, Representative Marcus Bryant and Boys and Girls Club parish director Brianna Davis.

Conner said the fair attracts both members of the church and people from New Iberia and the surrounding communities. She said it promotes a positive connection between the church parish, and the outside community of people.

“This is just a wonderful event every year and we just thank God that we’re able to come together as a church parish and community to be able to serve the people. When we serve the people, they give us service as well,” Conner said.

At noon, a parade rolled through the fair with over 50 participants. At 3:30, they held mass in the cathedral, and according to Conner, they needed to put chairs in the aisles to account for all the extra people.

Through the early hours of the fair, EJ the DJ from radio 88.3 played back-to-back tunes filled with positivity. Little Nate and the Zydeco Big Timers put on an energetic performance throughout the evening.

Church parishioners cooked and served a variety of dishes for the fair, including gumbo and fried catfish.

The fair has a committee of about 20 people that meet once a month until October, when they meet once a week. As soon as they finish this fair they begin planning the next.

“Our first meeting is actually Thursday,” Conner said, chuckling as she did so.

Bernard said they are grateful to the community for its continued support for the church and their faith.

“For St. Edwards it means everything. It means community, it means togetherness, it means our identities as sons and daughters of God in celebrating one another in our church parish. We are grateful that we can continue to celebrate our Catholic faith, but also the culture here which is so unique and beautiful,” Bernard concluded.