Event bonds family, friends
CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Though sanctioning from the International Olympic Committee has yet to come, the annual Peth Family Olympics scored a perfect 10 with all who participated.
Not even wind and rain could dampen the spirit of about 140 who gathered Saturday to socialize and compete in the 12 events rewarded with homemade Olympic-style medals.
The games included a sponge race, three-legged race, water balloon toss, and egg and spoon race. A bubble gum event consisted of a plate of whipped cream with a piece of bubble gum nestled inside. Without using hands, the participants were challenged to find the gum and be the first to blow a bubble.
A new event this year featured a T-shirt soaked in water, then rolled into a ball and frozen. The object of the game is to be the first person to get the shirt on.
"I tried it myself to be sure it worked and wouldn't be too hard," said Kate Peth, who organizes the event each year at the home of her parents, Elaine and Ron Peth.
The festivities began at 1 p.m. with a potluck dinner followed by competition sign-ups at 2:30 p.m.
At 3 p.m., the playing of the Olympic theme was accompanied by the lighting of the torch.
"The torch relay is done with the kids, and the oldest gets to actually light our Olympic flame," Kate Peth said.
Cameron Peth, 10, about to enter fifth grade at Connoquenessing Elementary School, had the honor of lighting the flame.
"I got to be in the relay last year also, but my cousin got to light it. I am so excited to get the chance to do it this year," he said.
The torch was passed around the property until it arrived back to Cameron. Despite the winds, he lit the pyre.
"It felt good," he said afterward.
Then it was time for the flag ceremony with Andrew Dulia, 9, who will be in fourth grade at Dassa McKinney Elementary.
Elaine Peth was master of ceremonies and called the games to begin, starting with the seed spitting contest. More than 20 contestants faced the porch to see who could spit the farthest. Someone jokingly shouted, "If you hit grandma Geibel you win!"
Although the skies opened up and poured rain during the water balloon toss, the games went on until a winner was declared, and after the deluge, the award presentation was made with Eric Spencer on the podium again.
Though attendees ranged to 92 years old, participants ranged from 2 to 72.After each of the events, the top three contenders mounted the podium for the medal ceremony complete with the national anthem."For the medals this year, I just got these big washers from Lowe's and spray painted them gold, silver and bronze," said Peth, who noted it doesn't have to be expensive to be fun.Peth said the tradition of hosting a summer event began with family birthdays."My late grandmother loved picnics and summer parties, so that's what we did every year for her birthday. There are about 15 August birthdays in my family, so we celebrated with one big party some time in August," Kate Peth said."A couple years ago when we were at camp trying to think of things to do, my brother said jokingly that we should have a Peth family Olympics."Even though he was joking, I liked the idea and decided to use it at that year's August party," she said. "I got such positive feedback that our August party is now an annual Olympics party."Because of conflicting dates, the event was moved up a week to July, but the event that has spread to include neighbors and friends saw a drastic increase in this year's attendance.Elaine Peth said she is thrilled to see all the faces."Three years ago, our daughter, Megan, who was 19, died suddenly while at college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Some of these kids here were her classmates, and this is the only time they all still get together with us," she said.Christine Hohn and Eric Spencer of Parker Township wouldn't miss the event. In fact, Spencer was quite at home on the podium."It is an excellent way for the family to get together for the day," Hohn said."In today's world everyone is busy, we have had something going on almost every weekend, but we know this date months in advance. Participating in these events brings the family closer together through fun and laughter."Renewing old acquaintances and making new ones is one of the draws for Kelly Anzaldi of Renfrew."I always look forward to seeing friends that I don't always see all the time," she said. "It's also nice to branch out and meet other people's friends and family members."
