The University of St. Thomas will host its annual community celebration, Neighborfest, from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2.

The free event, first held in the summer of 1981, has attracted hundreds of St. Thomas neighbors, friends and their families to campus each year for music, food and fun.

Because of construction in recent years, Neighborfest had been held in the university’s upper quadrangle – near the residence halls and chapel. This year, it will return to its traditional home in the lower quadrangle. The event will take place on the expanded quadrangle’s John P. Monahan Plaza.

The plaza is located just outside the university’s new Anderson Student Center, which will be open for tours that evening. In event of rain, Neighborfest will move into the Anderson Student Center.

As usual, there will be free ice cream treats, fresh fruit kabobs, snack mix and lemonade. For those who’d like to make a dinnertime visit, the grills will be fired up, with bratwurst, hot dogs, burgers and pulled-pork sandwiches available for purchase.

Traditional Irish music will be performed by the Two Tap Trio, a Twin Cities-based group that plays at festivals and concert halls throughout the Midwest (and the Dubliner at Vandalia and University avenues).

For those driving to campus, free parking is available on the university’s south campus (south of Summit and west of Cretin).

Questions? Call the St. Thomas University Relations office, (651) 962-6400.