Celebrating community will be at the heart of the Elizabethtown Block Party. The event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Elizabethtown Borough Community Park, Ken Lane and South Mount Joy Street.

The party will feature an opportunity for people to learn about social service agencies in the area, while enjoying free family fun, said Erica Onufer, one of the leaders of Atonement House Ministries, which is hosting the event.

"We will have 16 different agencies represented, which is the most we've ever had," Onufer stated. "Each will have a table with information and giveaways and will showcase how they can provide support to people."

Participating organizations will include Love INC., ECHOS and Atonement House Ministries. Elizabethtown Area School District will have a stand as will the Elizabethtown Borough Police Department.

"We will also have a kids' area, featuring free fun and entertainment, everything from a bounce house to balloon animals, face painting, games, and then there's a playground and field area there as well," Onufer said.

Entertainment will be featured throughout the day, from live bands to a meet-and-greet with police dogs and a reptile show.

Boston Bachert will headline the entertainment. "He does a little bit of everything," Onufer said, noting that Bachert's act includes juggling, illusion, comedy and more.

Everyone who attends the block party will receive a ticket for a free meal, including a side, dessert and drink. Attendees will also be entered in a drawing for prizes, which will be awarded throughout the party.

Organizers are working with members of LIV-Etown, who will serve as masters of ceremonies during the prize giveaways. "We have been gifted a lot of great prizes," Onufer noted, adding that items include a scooter, sports equipment and gift cards.

"Everybody gets a ticket for the prizes, and we put the kids' tickets in one drawing and the adults' in another," she said, noting that people must be present to win.

People will also get a small passport when they arrive at the party, and they are encouraged to visit each table to receive a stamp. "It's a good incentive for people to be sure they've heard about all the opportunities in the community that are available to them," Onufer said.

Atonement House Ministries is open Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m. at 105 S. Market St., Elizabethtown. "Everybody is welcome to come in and join us," Onufer said of the ministry that provides resources to people in need in the community. The organization took over hosting the block party from previous hosts the Elizabethtown Ministerium this year after participating in the event last year. "It was such a great event last year, and we had such a great turnout," Onufer said, adding that she hopes this year's party will draw a large crowd, too.

"By doing this event, we're really trying to bless the people in our community and get more resources into their hands," she said.

For more information on the block party, search for "Elizabethtown Block Party" on Facebook.