A calendar slot time change wasn’t able to alter the weather for this week’s annual St. Joan of Arc Church Carnival at Sloatsburg’s Community Fields. But don’t let a little rainy weather prevent you from enjoying local carnival lights and rides — the carnival runs through Sundy, May 25.

St. Joan of Arc Church in Sloatsburg has pulled out all the stops with the reboot of its annual carnival. The church is also celebrating 90 years of service and outreach in Sloatsburg. St. Joan of Arc is the sister church to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Tuxedo, which itself was officially founded in 1895 when the cornerstone was set and initially served the local Irish community. St. Joan of Arc began as a mission church of Mt. Carmel at the prompting of the Sloatsburg Slovak community who wrote to then Archbishop John Murphy Farley (now buried in St. Patrick’s Cathedral) in 1906, pleading its case, according to Mt. Carmel history:

The Slovak residents of Sloatsburg and suburbs with breaking hearts see that amongst our people, under the present circumstances, religion will die out. The greatest cause for this is that we are located a long distance from a Catholic Church, where we would hear the World of God in our own native tongue. We turn to you for aid and ask for your consent to the building of a small chapel in this town. . . . We do not wish a large or expensive building. Just a small building, for which we can stand the cost of construction. We hope this humble and respectful request be accepted and authorized. 

St, Joan of Arc Church celebrates 90 years serving the community and will partner with Sloatsburg, celebrating its 85th year, with a fireworks display Sunday night.

Both churches were initially founded to serve the communities of workers and families who settled in these parts to help build the homes in Tuxedo Park. And Mt. Carmel was itself initially a mission church first served by Sacred Heart Parish in Suffern, NY.

Sloatsburg Mayor Carl Wright declared this past May 11 St. Joan of Arc Day in the village, declaring:

The beauty of the architecture of the church is only surpassed by the hundreds and hundreds of those who have worshipped here throughout the years. The ringing of the bell announcing that masses are to commence can be heard throughout the valley. It is in this church that the milestones of life are observed.

The Village of Sloatsburg has partnered with St. Joan of Arc for a planned Sunday night fireworks extravaganza at the Community Fields to celebrate both St. Joan’s birthday and Sloatsburg’s 85th year as a village. Sloatsburg was founded in October 1929.

So, keep an umbrella handy and carry a pocketful of money to enjoy the rides and other carnival activities.

The food, fun and games are part of an effort by the Sloatsburg Catholic parish church to reach out to the community as well as raise funds. All proceeds for the event go St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Sloatsburg.

The St. Joan of Arc Church Carnival runs from Thursday, May 22 through Sunday, May 25. The carnival will offer all-day ride wristbands for $20. Otherwise, tickets for rides can be purchased individually onsite.