(ABC 6 News) – The Immaculate Conception Church in Charles City held their annual fall festival this Saturday and Sunday, to raise money for operating expenses at the church’s preschool through 6^th grade programs. 

“If you’ve been around the Catholic Church for any length of time,” said organizer Alan Powell,  “You’ve always been asked to play bingo. I think it’s in our heritage.” 

The event, held at the Charles City Colombus Club (Knights of Columbus Hall) was held in conjunction with the fall festival; featuring silent auction items donated by local businesses and a wide swath of homemade and baked goodies. 

Powell said that bingo games are a great community activity that keeps folks engaged, young or old. 

“It’s a good activity for people to interact of all age groups,” he said. “That’s what we see during the Fall Festival, is multiple multi-generational interaction in the bingo parlor.” 

“Once a year we have this fall festival,” said Fr. Tom Heathershaw, “..and it’s a time for coming together for a common purpose and to support the church and school.”