Cedar Grove Presbyterian Church is about to celebrate the uniqueness of the peach.

"Peaches are delicious," said Kris Poontajak, who's been Cedar Grove's pastor for 15 years. "There will be peach pies and sliced peaches. There will be familiar faces and new faces smiling and chitchatting. They will be relaxing with goodies to eat and items to take home."

The church's peach festival has become an eastern Lancaster County tradition. This year, the community carnival will be conducted from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, inside and outside the church, 4833 Division Highway, East Earl.

The event is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. Barb MacMaster is serving as the peach fest coordinator.

"The goal of the peach fest is to connect with people near and far," said Poontajak. "I like people seeing each other, sitting down to eat and walking around looking at different things. I like seeing people walk in and enjoying themselves. We like to interact with the community."

In addition to peach pies, specialty desserts, sliced peaches and pancakes with peaches, the peach festival will offer other breakfast and lunch items like egg casseroles, sausages, hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, free ice cream, coffee and other hot and cold beverages. There will also be a flea market, a book sale, a bake sale, children's activities and a silent auction featuring baskets and gift certificates.

The church's peach pies can be order in advance by calling 717-354-5573 prior to Sunday, Aug. 9.

More than 100 individuals are expected to attend. Twenty percent of the proceeds from the peach fest will be donated to the nonprofit Leading in Faith & Education (LIFE), a faith-based prison ministry, and the remainder of the monies raised will benefit the church's general fund.

The church also supports CrossNet Ministries, Columbia Dream Center, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Church USA, CROP Hunger Walk of Church World Service, Welsh Mountain Home, Water Street Mission, Honey Brook Day Camp, Align Life Ministries and Revelations of Freedom Ministries.

"We exist in the community, and for the community, to honor God," said Poontajak.

Cedar Grove established its peach festival in 1999. Since then, the event has evolved into a New Holland area favorite.

"More people come to the event each year," said Poontajak. "That means more pies to bake. Over the last few years, we added a few things, such as free children's books and having the flea market both inside and outside the church building."

For additional information, go to http://www.cedargrovepresbyterianlanc.org.