Guardian Angels Catholic Church’s first AngelFest attracted hundreds of people last Saturday.

“I thought it was spectacular,” said the Rev. Paul Jarvis, of Guardian Angels.

The parish’s annual fall festival (with a new theme) included food, music, friary tours and the “world’s shortest parade” (30 feet long, the width of Second Street).

Jarvis estimates that 800 visitors, from throughout the southwest metro, took guided tours of the church’s historic friary, organized by Neil Kennedy.

The church also emptied 15 16-gallon kegs of beer. “We underestimated the massive crowd, and therefore had to go to the store for brats and hamburgers and buns three times throughout the day. We also had an unprecedented number of people in our festival dinner – 600.  Next year, we are going to figure out how to accommodate even more, as we were unfortunately turning people away,” Jarvis said.

“The Latino food was wildly popular.  And so was the music concertina music provided by Gertie Lebens and friends, a mariachi band, the contemporary gospel music of Jerry Steele, and our headliner, Mary Jane Alm,” he said.

“We really think next year is going to be even bigger,” said Jarvis, who hopes it will become a local version of the Basilica Block Party. “We were especially happy to see so many residents within walking distance of G.A. coming to listen to the free music,” Jarvis said.

And for next year? Jarvis wants the parade to include “the first marching choir in the world.”