Home cooked food, live music and a family friendly atmosphere attracted a large crowd over the weekend.

The sixth annual September Fest, held by St. Mary’s School, offered carnival rides, food, live music, a bags tournament and a family friendly beer garden.

Guests walked into the fundraiser and were greeted by the sights, smells and sounds of a carnival. There were over 10 carnival rides, including a Ferris wheel and a bungee jump.

“We really want to be family friendly,” said September Fest Chairman Don Young. “[So] people with kids can come out and not feel excluded. [We] also want college kids.”

A bags tournament with a prize of $300 for the winning team was held Sunday.

“I like how they are playing bags,” said NIU history alum Barbara Schultz. “I should get in on this.”

Entry in the tournament cost $10 per team, and anyone could join right up to the start of the game.

This year over 20 teams competed, Young said.

Food was cooked by parishioners, and sold at booths in the beer garden including Polish, Mexican and Greek style entrees.

“I like how the food, beer and music are all in one spot, unlike Corn Fest where you have to drink in one place and eat in another,” said Lynn Farris, DeKalb resident and member of St. Mary’s.

The music brought in big crowds and played anything from the Beatles to AC/DC, with the exception of the band, Mr. Meyer, which played a Caribbean style rock, Young said.

The school holds two fundraising events annually, September Fest in the fall and a dinner dance in the spring.