Metro East tradition ends after 40 years

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (First Alert 4) - A 40-year community tradition is coming to an end. Bonifest, an annual festival held each May at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edwardsville, is being discontinued after organizers cited rising costs as the reason for the decision.

The festival, which began in 1986, drew thousands of visitors each year with carnival rides, games, live music and food. It served as a kickoff to summer for the Metro East community.

Church cites costs, complexity

In a recent letter to parishioners, leaders at St. Boniface explained the decision.

“The costs of hosting large community festivals have increased dramatically, while planning, security, insurance and safety requirements have become far more complex,” the letter stated.

Church leaders said the move is intended to be proactive rather than reactive.

Residents react

Edwardsville resident Regina Canada said the news came as a surprise.

“It’s like a staple of Edwardsville every May, Bonifest, as long as I’ve been a kid, Bonifest, so I’m quite surprised,” Canada said.

Maryville resident Kelly Fischer said the festival held significance beyond entertainment.

“It’s definitely sad, people look forward to that all year and it raises a lot of awareness for the school and parish, I hate to hear that for sure,” Fischer said.

Bonifest is one of many Catholic parish festivals in the St. Louis region that feature carnival rides, games and food