In the fall, producers harvest what they've spent time watering, feeding and nurturing. At Lititz Christian School (LCS), they're harvesting community servants, lifelong learners and productive citizens.

LCS' upcoming event is designed to provide a glimpse into the school's growing process.

"We're equipping minds, enriching souls and empowering lives," said Maegan Jones, LCS' marketing director. "We take kids through rigorous academics, and they're based in the Bible. We provide a great education, and we're preparing students from kindergarten on up so they can be successful adults."

LCS will host its fifth annual Harvest Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the school, 300 W. Orange St., Lititz. The community outreach event is free to attend, and all are invited.

The rain date for the Harvest Fest is Sunday, Oct. 19, from 2 to 6 p.m.

"Our goal is to love on our community and get people inside our building," said Jones. "Our main purpose is to give back to Lititz and surrounding communities. Our kids are required to be out in their community and serving. That's a huge component of our students' time at Lititz Christian."

The Harvest Fest will feature face painting, bounce houses, games, balloon animals, barrel rides, photo opportunities, a dunk tank, touch-a-truck and a firepit for creating s'mores, as well as foods like chicken barbecue, hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cakes, soft pretzels, beverages and coffee.

Donations to the school will also be accepted.

"It's like a fall carnival," said Jones. "I'm picturing a soft, cool day. I'm thinking about an all-American family enjoying a morning together and thinking it's a safe place for their family to be. The vibe we're going for is laid-back."

"I like seeing all the kids interact with one another," continued Jones. "They might be making new friends. We want people to interact and make new relationships."

As many as 500 people from Lititz and surrounding areas are expected to attend.

"I think the Lancaster County area knows about us," said Jones. "There are a million schools in the county. I think Lititz Christian is widely known in our area. We care about families. We care about kids and their education. That's the biggest piece for us."

"There are tons of great biblical schools in Lancaster County," Jones added. "One of the things that Lititz Christian embraces is students' individuality. When we have students coming here, we want them to be seen and known and do what they're good at."

LCS conducted its initial Harvest Fest in 2021.

"It was really started through a sense of community," said Jones. "It was a way to pull people together. Who doesn't love a good fall fest? Our attendance has definitely grown, and now people are kind of expecting it. We want people to know that we care about our community."

For the 2025-26 school year, more than 200 students in kindergarten through 12th grade are enrolled at LCS. There are another 200 children enrolled in LCS' two early learning centers.

LCS, which is funded through tuition, grants and donations, employs approximately 90 workers, about 60 of whom are teachers.

"It's families who are enjoying a biblically focused, small-town education," said Jones. "Our team focuses on our kids' strengths and weaknesses, and we're trying to come alongside them. They're families enjoying something a little different than a homeschool or a public school education."

LCS, which was founded in 1978, opened its second early learning center at Community Bible Church, 331 Anderson Ferry Road, Marietta, in September. LCS' original early learning center is located at 29 Acre Road, Lititz.

"The church was looking for a school to come in," said Jones of the new location. "We didn't really have to do anything except bring some supplies."

For additional information, go to http://www.lititzchristian.net.