"The day itself is a totally free event, and we do it to encourage community participation and help people renew old acquaintances. It's almost like a reunion," said Terry Marxen, one of the organizers of Rothsville Community Day, who noted that this year the opportunity to see friends and neighbors is more important than ever. The 2020 Rothsville Day event was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The 19th Rothsville Community Day will be held on Saturday, Sept. 18, at Forney Field on Church Street in Rothsville. This year's 5K Fun Run/Walk sponsored by WellSpan Family and Pediatric Medicine, Rothsville, will begin at 9:30 a.m. Registration at Forney Field on the day of the event will open at 9 a.m. The 5K raises funds for WellSpan's Prescription for Caring to help people who cannot afford necessary medications.

Registration for free events and activities will begin at 9:30 a.m. Children's activities, including barrel train rides, are scheduled to start at 10 a.m. A helicopter candy drop, which is open to children age 12 and under, will take place at 10:45 a.m. Other Rothsville Community Day activities will include an egg toss and a pie-eating contest. Participants will be split into two age groups: children and adults. Door prizes from local businesses will be given away throughout the day.

For 2021, two featured live performers will entertain, including Jesse Rothacker of Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary and the DKers, also known as Darren Horst and Kevin McCulley, comedic jugglers who grew from school chums to well-known performers.

The Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reptile rescue and education. Founder and herpetologist Rothacker gives fun and educational presentations involving a variety of reptiles from both the local area and around the world.

The DKers are Christian jugglers who have been throwing things aloft and catching them since they were in seventh grade at Hinkletown Mennonite School. Pairing juggling feats with clean humor, the duo has performed at banquets, talent shows, and various community and church events.

In conjunction with the event, nature trails at Millport Conservancy, 737 E. Millport Road, Lititz, will be open from dawn until dusk.

Rothsville Community Day is sponsored by area churches, including Jerusalem Lutheran, and Salem United Methodist, St. Paul's E.C., and Millport Mennonite Church, in conjunction with Rothsville Fire Company and the Rothsville Ambulance Association, along with support from many local businesses.

Readers who would like to learn more may search Facebook for "Rothsville Community Day."