PIT CREW – Members of St. Thomas Episcopal Church and supporters gathered to peel about 32 crates of peaches in preparation for the 62nd-annual Peach Festival to be held from 11 a. m. to 6 p. m. Aug. 9. Among those taking part were, clockwise from left, Dorothy Hawkes, Lisa Fleming, Rich Mergen, Wendy Speer and Carol Village. — Warren Scott WEIRTON – For over 60 years, people in the area have come to St. Thomas Episcopal Church for its famous peach shortcakes, served with whipped cream and ice cream on the side, along with a variety of other foods. The beloved fundraiser will return from 11 a. m. to 6 p. m. on Aug. 9 at the church located at 300 Three Springs Drive. This year’s event will feature a car cruise starting at noon, a bounce house for kids, hot dogs and other food options available outdoors, as well as baked goods for sale made in the church’s kitchen. The menu includes cabbage rolls, haluski and pierogies that can be enjoyed in the church’s air-conditioned social hall or taken home. On that day, take-out orders can be placed by calling (304) 723-4120. The festival will also include the Tisket-a-tasket Basket Drawing with various gift baskets up for grabs and an overnight stay at Mountaineer Casino, Race Track and Resort among the prizes. Rich Mergen, one of the organizers of this event, mentioned that fresh peaches will be sold by the pound for the first time this year. As they worked together in the social hall peeling around 32 crates of peaches, members and supporters of the church recognized that putting on this event every year requires hard work. However, it also brings back great memories from past years. Dorothy Hawkes shared that they’ve hosted other fundraisers too, like annual spaghetti dinners when they were located on Mildren Avenue. Carol Village reminisced about a British-themed event called Beef and Brew one year. “My brother dressed as a bobby (an English police officer) and directed traffic,” she recalled. Mergen added that they served roast beef during that event but offered strictly non-alcoholic drinks despite what it was called. Wendy Speer remembered a fun simulated jousting activity where guests tried to knock a “knight” off his log horse while walking around. Mergen noted how different clergy members participated enthusiastically in dunk tanks during previous events. He also mentioned pony rides were available during those spaghetti dinners. Speer fondly remembered rocking her infant son-now grown at age 44-while collecting money for horse-drawn carriage rides through nearby businesses on Three Springs Drive’s parking lot. While recent years have seen some activities scaled back at the church’s events, members are hoping everyone has an enjoyable time this year. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox
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