The first Peach Festival held by Cedar Grove Church was organized in 1999 to raise funds to help pay off the mortgage on the new Christian education wing the church had recently added. A quarter of a century later, the church has long paid off the mortgage, but the Peach Festival is still observed with a portion of the proceeds benefiting a ministry. This year, a local organization, Revelations of Freedom Ministries (ROFM), will receive a percentage of the funds raised by the event.

Cedar Grove, which is located at the corner of routes 322 and 897 in East Earl, will hold what is now called the Peach Fest on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. As in the past, the event will feature a flea market, book sale, silent auction, and bake sale, along with food items for purchase.

Traditionally, the menu for the Peach Fest has offered a variety of foods but focused on peaches, with peach-flavored items available for purchase throughout the day. Breakfast items will include pancakes with or without peach topping and whipped cream, sausages, and sausage and egg casserole. Lunch will feature hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs with or without sauerkraut, and pulled pork sandwiches. Sliced peaches with or without ice cream and whoopie pies will be on the dessert menu. Coffee and other beverages will be available by donation.

As in the past, there will be free children's activities on the church lawn and free ice cream and children's books inside the church. 

A baked goods table will include homemade peach pies, as well as a variety of other pies, cakes, brownies, cookies, several flavors of whoopie pies, and other baked treats.

This year, peach pies, baked fresh at the church on Friday, Aug. 16, may also be preordered by Monday, Aug. 12, by calling the church at 717-354-5573. Preordered pies may be picked up during the event. "(The pies) are famous," noted Peach Fest organizer Betty Ferstler. "Someone comes in and buys 10 of them."

Organizers of the event have been accepting book donations, and a number of genres will be represented. Church members have also collected yard sale items that can be purchased by donation at the fest, and a table of costume jewelry will be set up, along with a table of craft items made by members of the congregation.

Organizer Barbara Zook said that inside and outdoor flea market vendors will be on-site. According to Zook, several outside flea market spaces will be available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals who have questions or are interested in reserving an inside vendor space may call Zook at 717-656-6322.

This year's silent auction will consist of at least 12 items, including theme baskets and gift certificates. Among the many theme baskets organizers expect will be a Thai basket, a Pepperidge Farm basket, and an Emma's Popcorn basket.

ROFM, located at 114 Ranck Church Road, New Holland, is a faith-based, Christ-centered discipleship program for men who struggle with addictions.

Readers who would like more information about Cedar Grove may visit http://www.cedargrovepresbyterianlanc.org.