Family Fun Days made its debut last weekend at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Tujunga after a four-year pandemic-related hiatus and boy! Did it come back with a splash!

Our Lady of Lourdes School and Parish has hosted FFD for 45 years bringing the church community and the foothill community together for a long weekend of rides, music, food and games and the chance to meet up with friends. Several church ministries cooked up some amazing foods – from Mexican delights, bratwursts with sauerkraut, Filipino dishes and hamburgers and new this year was the addition of Korean specialties. There was no lack of savory and scrumptious delights.

FFD organizers have worked months preparing for the long weekend, committing to the project with love and dedication to OLL.

Chairperson Anita Domiguez said, “Family Fun Days is all about bringing people closer, nurturing those heartfelt connections, and celebrating each other with genuine warmth.”

Fair-goers enjoyed a giant slide and incredibly fast spinning, tilting and whirling rides. In addition to the rides there were games where people could win everything from a Ramen or a spam-stuffed toy (yes, a can of spam stuffed toy) to the favorite of many: goldfish.

And if dizzying rides were not their thing, folks could enjoy beer or margaritas while listening all night to live music. This reporter’s favorite band was the cover band FM Radio.

Longtime OLL parishioner and family member of the school Linda Huffman has been involved with FFD for 35 years and said it’s all about teamwork, community and fun. Helping the school and parish are her goals. Even though Linda’s daughter and grandsons have all long graduated, she said, “I’ve thought of quitting many times but when the planning starts, I get hooked again!”

Dominguez added, “While the definition of ‘family’ may differ from person to person, at its core it’s all about a loving and supportive community of individuals who share deep bonds.”  

Deep bonds were found in abundance. Being stationed at a gate near the food booths and tables this reporter saw so many friends – new and old and of every age. It was an incredible weekend.

FFD is the event all of OLL looks forward to every year. For those who have never been, mark the calendar now for next September and keep eyes open for signs announcing this big event.

Story and photos provided by Sonya MARQUEZ