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Johnville residents will celebrate the 130th anniversary of their picnic on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, making it the longest running church festival in New Brunswick.

To mark this milestone, several special events have been added to the program, including an open-air memorial mass and a play that chronicles the history of this rural farming community in western New Brunswick. Johnville was settled by Irish immigrants in the mid-1800s.

Steeped in tradition and packed with fun for the entire family, this country fair is an annual fundraiser for St. John the Evangelist Church.

The outdoor mass will lead off this year's picnic at 1 p.m. and will be held in honour of Johnville's early pioneers.

Festivities begin on the church grounds at 2 p.m. when local performers step onto the outdoor stage and bingo is called under the big tent. Musicians, singers interested in performing at this year's picnic are asked to call Doug Rideout at 392-6656.

The popular children's parade begins at 3 p.m. featuring a procession of tiny costumed characters that reflect their Irish heritage.

There will be a variety of game, craft and food booths operating on the fairgrounds during the day for young and old alike, including bingo, open-air art gallery, dunking machine, fish pond, crown and anchor, darts, bean bag, quarter and ring toss. There will also be a display of antique automobiles and vintage farm tractors.

One of the highlights of this year's picnic is sure to be a play starring the community's talented thespians and musicians who will tell the story of Johnville in a series of historical vignettes. There will be two showings of "The Road to Johnville" at 4 p.m. and at 7 p.m. under the big pine tree, next to the church hall.

The picnic supper – a tasty smorgasbord of salads, cold meats, homemade pies and desserts - will be served in the church hall from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under.

Entertainment will continue through the evening, with a dance under the stars and fireworks display to bring this special anniversary celebration to a dazzling close.