Multi-ethnic cuisines, music and more will be the focus of the 24th annual Food-n-Fun Fest at the Church of St. Therese, located across from Chesapeake Square Mall, next weekend.

Having only been around for 60 years, the church has held this event for almost half of its existence.

“(It’s) the one, big, parish-wide fundraiser we do every year,” said Kathy Renigar, activities coordinator for the Church of St. Therese’s Food-n-Fun Fest committee. She quoted “Fiddler on the Roof” as the explanation for its longevity. “It’s ‘tradition.’”

Originally, the event was put together to raise funds for the church’s building fund, Renigar said. Today, the proceeds of the event go toward building maintenance.

The church building is important to the members of the church for many reasons. It gives them a place to worship, and a place to leave to go out and serve, Renigar said.

While this is a church event, all are welcome. “We’re not there to preach,” Renigar said. “It’s just a day and a half of inexpensive family fun.”

There will be multi-cultural cuisines represented at the event including American, Filipino and French. “It’s my annual pancit fix,” said Renigar, who playfully added she considers the Filipino food her favorite part of the event.

The American and Filipino food booth will be located outside and will be serving hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries, lumpia, fried rice, pancit and more.

Inside, you will find a French café located in the social hall. Lasagna, stuffed cabbage, and more will be served with a side of salad or bread.

Along with these, the event will also have typical fair-type snacks such as cotton candy and popcorn, as well as a total of 20 vendors featuring items such as homemade jewelry, cooking utensils and even information stations like an Alzheimer’s awareness booth.

Bluegrass-style music, Southern gospel, jazz and even a group of singers from a nearby Catholic school will be performing over the course of the weekend.

Along with a number of raffles, the event will include a silent auction inside the social hall. Guests will bid on baskets with themed prizes such as a cooking basket, restaurant certificates, a weekend in the Outer Banks and a week in Florida.

Although the event originally included an antique car show, that part of the event has been canceled.

Admission and parking are free. The event is open to the public from 5 to 10 p.m. on Sept. 18 and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 19.

The Church of St. Therese is also involved in a number of other ministries, both local and national. Members of the church take supplies to a poor area in the western part of the state, Renigar said. They also throw a Super Bowl party every year and invite the homeless to spend a week at the church where they can enjoy the football game, take showers and eat.

The church supports an orphanage located in Haiti and also donates food to a Portsmouth-based food pantry.