Even in the rain, people packed the food tent to listen to The Benchwarmers.

The festival spirit of St. Patrick’s Day was the perfect backdrop for the 2018 Jesuit Blue Jay Bazaar. Some people in the Jesuit community sported blue and white clothing for the affair, others went for the St. Patrick’s green, but most found a happy medium with some combination of the three colors.

View the Photo Gallery from the 2018 Blue Jay Bazaar

This aerial drone shot caught by D.J. Galiano ’07 was shared on Jesuit’s social media outlets with the Bazaar’s Snapchat filter!

A true day of connection for the Jesuit community, the Blue Jay Bazaar on Saturday, March 17, saw current students gracing the stage, taking the field, and enjoying a myriad of games. Alumni and parents embraced the opportunity for connection with each other, enhanced by an air of live music, great food, and a chance at auction items and goodies. Families with young children enjoyed the ever-expanding array of inflatables on the back field and an atmosphere set by snoballs and face painting.

People fill the bleachers in front of the stage to watch the Blue Jay Jazz Band and other groups perform.

The day opened with a greeting from Jesuit president, Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., and a tour de force of performances from some of Jesuit’s prominent co-curricular groups – the MCJROTC Color Guard and Band, the Barber Shop Quartet, the Jesuit Jazz Band, and the Cheerleaders and Jayettes.

Lovers of drama had two chances to see a preview of the Philelectic Society’s spring musical, Fiddler on the Roof, which opens on April 12. And the musical talents of other members of the Jesuit community graced the outdoor stage. All three bands – The Medics, The Benchwarmers, and Grädu – boasted alumni and parent connections to Jesuit.

All the signs of good fortune for St. Patrick’s Day – the four-leaf clover, the leprechaun, and the pot of gold – were appropriate images for the event. Despite the brief rainy break in action, the Bazaar brought in quite a haul for the school. Enhanced auction boards featured exciting items for every taste. Junior Richie Foley won the $5,000 Grand Raffle.

The Blue Jay Bazaar sponsors went above and beyond with their generous support. Proceeds for the Bazaar help offset the operating costs of the school, allowing Jesuit to maintain a high standard of excellence while keeping tuition affordable.

Despite 2018 being the third consecutive year in which rain has factored into the Bazaar fun, the silver lining is that the committed group of event volunteers and staff stayed well ahead of the weather. On Thursday morning, the decision was made to implement the Bazaar rain plan, and the team of Bazaar volunteers, maintenance staff, and support personnel sprang into action to revamp the Bazaar schematic to ensure that the event remained a success. And a success it was!

Bazaar co-chairs Caroline Wegmann and Anne Black with next year’s chair, Missy Martin

Jesuit thanks the cast of 500 volunteers who assisted in the day, led by the team of Anne Black, Caroline Wegmann, and Missy Martin, all working in close step with Jesuit’s volunteer coordinator, Maura Owers. To all the volunteers and sponsors who offered time, talent, and treasure, Jesuit offers gratitude and special Irish blessings for making the St. Patrick’s Day Bazaar one to remember.