Celebrating Community and Culture – The Inaugural Mary’s Festival at St. Mary’s University

On Saturday, St. Mary’s University welcomed over 700 community members to campus for the first annual Mary’s Festival. This inaugural event brought together students, faculty, alumni, family, friends, and residents from the surrounding areas for a day of celebration, connection, and community.


The campus turned festival grounds buzzed with excitement from the moment the gates opened. Attendees were greeted by live music, a vibrant marketplace featuring local artisans and non-profit vendors, food trucks, a dunk tank, and a wide array of carnival games.


“It was truly uplifting to see so many come together to help celebrate Mary’s Festival,” said Dr. Sinda Vanderpool, President, St. Mary’s University. “The community involvement not only brought joy and energy to the festival but also reinforced the values of love, compassion, and unity that St. Mary’s University exemplifies.”


“Thank you to all of our attendees, our vendors, sponsors, volunteers, and community members. The shared moments of reflection, and celebration reminded us of the strength and beauty of our community. It was heartwarming to witness the outpouring of support for an event of this magnitude.”


The success of the first Mary’s Festival is a testament to the spirit of collaboration and community that defines St. Mary’s University. It was a day filled with joy, learning, and a shared sense of belonging. The festival laid the foundation for an annual tradition that will continue to strengthen the bonds within our community for years to come.

As we look forward to next year’s festival, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated, volunteered, and attended. Together, we celebrated not just an event, but the vibrant, diverse, and interconnected community that makes St. Mary’s University truly special. Here’s to many more years of unity, culture, and celebration at Mary’s Festival!