JOLON — Mission San Antonio de Padua recently hosted its annual Fiesta, drawing hundreds of guests to its grounds near Jolon for an afternoon of food, dancing and celebration.
The June 9 fundraiser began with a Catholic Mass in honor of the Mission’s patron saint, St. Anthony de Padua, followed by a chicken barbecue served to about 543 people with the help of the King City Knights of Columbus.
New this year was a presentation by guest speaker Edie Littlefield Sundby, author of “The Mission Walker,” who shared her 1,600-mile trek along California’s mission trail and signed books for those in attendance.
Los Missioneros and a DJ provided music for the Fiesta, which also included tours of the Mission grounds and a display of crafts from local artisans.
Funds raised from the Fiesta will go toward the final phases of Mission San Antonio’s multi-million-dollar restoration project to meet state-mandated seismic standards for buildings.
