Our Lady of Perpetual Help invites the community to join in celebrating “Seventy Years of Happy” at the 70th annual parish barbecue Friday, Sept. 19, through Sunday, Sept. 21.

What began as a small group of parish families coming together for a day of food, music and games has grown to become one of Santa Clarita’s most popular family festivals. The barbecue, which is held on the grounds of the Lyons Avenue church, attracted more than 15,000 attendees over its three-day run last year.

This year’s barbecue will offer its renowned array of mouthwatering foods, skill-challenging games, thrilling rides, and terrific stage entertainment.  Families can look forward to the special activities and attractions that parish volunteers plan each year for younger children including face painting and “kid-friendly” games and rides.  Smiling yellow faces on bright blue balloons will festoon the grounds inviting festivalgoers to “Get Happy!”

New activities are planned in celebration of the event’s 70th year.  Adults are invited to try their luck at a new Casino Tent operating each night of the barbecue and adventurers of all ages (and a minimum height of 42 inches) can enjoy a birds-eye view of festival happenings as they soar across the parking lot on a 150 ft. zip line.

A special tribute is also planned for two long-time parish and Santa Clarita Valley community leaders, Julio Lombardi and Gene Doty, who were instrumental in founding the barbecue.

In addition to a spectacular offering of rides, games, music and entertainment, the OLPH Barbecue is most famous for its food.  An intoxicating feast of international cuisine – favorites from Mexico, Italy, the Philippines, and France, along with American classics — draw visitors back year after year.  The “deep-pit, slow-cooked” barbecue beef, served on closing day only, is itself a 70-year Santa Clarita tradition.

“We’ve truly got a lot to be happy about in Santa Clarita,” says Jerry Thomsen, OLPH barbecue chair.  “We live in a beautiful community where people care about their neighbors and their neighborhoods.  Here at OLPH, we are happy to offer a variety of important spiritual ministries to our community and to provide the only private Catholic elementary school in the Santa Clarita Valley.  Additionally, we are excited to be celebrating the arrival of three wonderful new priests and our ongoing campaign to build a new church.”

“I have heard so much about this fantastic barbecue; I am eagerly looking forward it,” commented new pastor, Monseigneur Craig Cox.  “My brother and sister-in-law heard about it and are coming all they way from Ojai.  We are happy to invite people near and far to join us for a great time!”

The Barbecue is the primary fundraiser for Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Santa Clarita. OLPH is located at 23233 Lyons Avenue in Newhall.  Festival hours are Friday, September 19 from 6 to 11 pm; Saturday, September 20 from 4 to 11 pm; and Sunday, September 21 from 12-8pm.  Admission is free.  Contact 661.259.2276 or bbq@olphscv.org for more information.