St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 5 Brooke Manor, Birdsboro, will present its annual Fall Fest event on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Highlights will include live music, homemade food and activities for children, including a "moon bounce," a kiddie train ride, face painting and a cake walk.

The event is renowned for its themed baskets, which it is taking to a new level this year. At this year's event, there will be more than 100 themed gift baskets available for bidding, nearly double the previous year's tally.

"I have one young lady that is just a go-getter," said Marsha Springel, who has been the event's chair since its inception. "What she does is she'll watch (Facebook) Marketplace and Next Door to see items that are for sale, and she'll literally call the people and ask them if they want to donate it to support St. Mark's."

Like last year's festival, there will be a random drawing for the baskets, which replaced the silent auction format from past years. The baskets include themes like barbecue, Italian dinners, baby items and more. There are also special baskets just for children to win, along with the annual handmade quilt that is donated by church member Tina Rohrbach.

For the children's auction, tickets will cost significantly less. Anybody who desires to win the children's baskets must be accompanied by a child. Winners for all baskets, along with the 50-50 and quilt, will be announced at approximately 2:30 p.m. inside of the church.

"The kids were always disappointed because they couldn't come up with $20 or $10 for the tickets for the big baskets," Springel said. "Every adult needs to be accompanied by a child (to win the children's baskets). ... In the past, we've had grandmothers say, 'oh, my grandchild would like that,' and they bid on it and ended up winning. Again, the children were disappointed."

Also inside of the church, the sanctuary will be used for entertainment. Strings of Praise will be performing from 11:30 a.m. to noon and at 2:15 p.m.; at 1 p.m., juggler Chris Ivey will also be performing.

Outside of the church building, there will be a litany of vendors; children's games; and booths from community groups, including Tower Health Ambulance, Hope Rescue Mission, Pope John Paul II School and Birdsboro Christian Preschool.

The church is still seeking vendors for the festival. Those interested may reach out to Springel at marshaspringel@gmail.com or 484-345-8434.

Hope Rescue Mission will be doing a "Stuff the Truck" event at the festival, asking attendees at the festival to bring gently used clothing for men, women and children. "They come with a great big box truck, and we try to fill it every year," Springel said.

There will be plenty of food at the festival, including the famous homemade apple dumplings. Between the church's mobile food ministry and vendors, the following foods will be on the menu: pulled pork sandwiches, french fries, funnel cake, fried Oreos, lemonade, chicken fingers, wings, street corn, soft pretzels, apple dumplings, popcorn, cotton candy, ice cream, pickles on a stick, soda and water.

For more information about the Fall Fest, visit http://www.facebook.com/StMarksBirdsboro. Those with questions may call the church at 610-582-8167 or email secretary@stmarkbirdsboro.org.