Nativity Carnival this weekend

by Caitlin Moyles

Special to the Almanac

Nativity School in Menlo Park will kick off summer with its 31st annual Nativity Carnival fundraiser on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 10-12, on the school’s grounds at the corner of Oak Grove Avenue and Laurel Street.

Patrick O’Hare, who is co-chairing the event, expects the carnival rides, food vendors, silent auction, and free live entertainment to draw thousands of people. Event hours are Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

East Bay Motown band Spill the Wine will entertain crowds on Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., while California Country Rock band The Bell Brothers will perform on Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. The Second Story Band, which plays rock music, will take the stage on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m.

Visitors can purchase food from a variety of vendors, including Round Table Pizza, Hawaiian Barbecue, Sancho’s Mexican Grill, and a Taste of Italy food booth sponsored by a Nativity family. The Nativity Men’s Club will provide a rotisserie chicken and pasta dinner, while adults can purchase beer, wine, and margaritas at the Tiki Bar.

More than 175 silent auction items range from $35 gift cards to Buck’s of Woodside, tickets to any performance at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, family passes to Old Faithful Geyser of California, and one month of boot camp at Menlo Fit.

Winners of a raffle grand prize of a Toyota Prius or $15,000 and second and third place prizes of $1,500 and $500 will be announced on Sunday at 5 p.m.

Patrick O’Hare and Steve Machado are co-chairing the event, which is run by Nativity Parish volunteers. All proceeds benefit Nativity Catholic School.

Visit nativitycarnival.org for more information.