This year’s festival runs from Thursday, June 5 through Sunday, June 8 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 6850 Mayfield Road. A true village tradition, the festival is run entirely by volunteers and offers something for everyone—kids, adults, and everyone in between.

Let’s talk food. You’ll find all the favorites: stuffed cabbage, meatball subs, sausage sandwiches, chicken tenders, burgers, hot dogs, and yes—those famous cavatelli and meatballs. The lineup also includes offerings from beloved local names like LaVera Party Center, the Winking Lizard, Barrio’s food truck, and sweet treats from Presti’s Bakery.

Families will love the massive kids’ game area sponsored by St. Francis, with everything from putt-putt and Plinko to face painting, cotton candy, and prizes galore. A $1 ticket lets little ones jump into the fun.

And then there’s the rides. Thanks to Lisko Family Amusements, you’ll find a giant slide, a funhouse, bungee jump, a rock wall, and more—16 rides in all!

Live music keeps the energy high throughout the weekend with performances from local bands including Follow the Sun, The Heat CLE, Risk Factor, North Coast Mix (Polka) and The Jam Machine. Plus, dance fans won’t want to miss Sunday’s performances from Murphy’s Irish Dancers and The Noreen Londergan School of Dance.

One of the big highlights is the Festival Car Show, happening Thursday, June 6 from 5:30–8:30 PM. Whether you're a car enthusiast or just in it for the raffle, all registered cars get a buy-one-get-one-free coupon for—you guessed it—cavatelli and meatballs.

Speaking of raffles, the grand prize this year is a 2025 Chevy Trailblazer, courtesy of Ken Ganley Chevrolet of Brookpark and the Chevy Network Dealers. There’s also a second prize of $2,500 and a third prize of $1,000. Plus, the new St. Francis Prize Raffle includes a 75” TV, BBQ grill, Cleveland sports tickets, a $500 money tree, and much more.

Whether you’re stopping by for the food, the music, the rides, or to simply catch up with friends and neighbors, the St. Francis Festival is one of those events that reminds us why we love living in Gates Mills.

See you there!