Published: July 23, 2009 01:35 pm      

St. Anthony Church’s annual picnic starts Friday in Clarksville

Fried chicken dinner is Saturday afternoon

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church will host its annual picnic Friday and Saturday at 316 Sherwood Ave. in Clarksville.

The event kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday and organizers are highlighting the affordable family fun in tough economic times. The picnic runs until midnight Friday and from 2 to midnight Saturday.

“This is always a great family getaway,” said picnic co-Chairman John Gilkey in a news release. “It’s a family environment that everyone can enjoy.”

St. Anthony will have 30 booths and rides for the kids by Adrenaline Force. There’s an outdoor food court and beer garden, along with bingo and a Monte Carlo inside the parish center, Gilkey said.

One of the picnic’s signature events is its Saturday afternoon chicken dinner.

“The St. Anthony’s Men’s Club has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the best crews in the area for frying chicken,” said Gilkey. “They will be on hand again this year for the dinner, which runs from 2 to 7 p.m.”

The picnic is the only annual parish fundraiser, and will feature raffles.

“Our capital prize is one of the largest in the region, with $6,500 in cash being given away,” said Gilkey.

Also up for raffle are a five-night stay in a four-bedroom Gatlinburg chalet, a five-piece patio table and chairs, a 40-inch flat-screen TV, a Nintendo Wii with Wii Fit and Harry Potter game and a recliner.

Friday night’s entertainment is The Boogie Men and Saturday night features Smokin’ Joe & The Mud Flaps. Other entertainment will be provided throughout the day.

“These church picnics are great for the community,” said Gilkey. “They give people an opportunity to come together and socialize while they have a great time and help a good cause.”