PENN TWP – A late summer storm was no match for the family fun, fellowship, food and generally joyful atmosphere on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Penn Township Community Day.

The annual event is held at the expansive Harcrest Park at the intersection of Three Degree and Brownsdale roads.

The event started out at noon under sunny skies, but dark clouds rolled in as predicted by weather forecasts at about 2:30 p.m.

Before the storm, ruddy-cheeked children could be seen jumping in the many bounce houses, playing Gellyball, enjoying the park's playground, or riding one of two ponies being carefully lead by a local equestrian.

Jane Thomas and her classmate, Aubrey Zelmore, both 8-year-old students at Penn Christian Academy just a few miles away, enjoyed free snow cones in the shade of the park's picnic shelter. The frosty treats were provided by the South Butler Assembly of God Church.

Jane's favorite activity was creating a sticker book from a wide variety of stickers at one booth at Community Day.

She extolled the virtues of holding the festive summer celebration each year.

“People can meet other people and have fun,” Jane said.

Aubrey's favorite was launching herself as high as possible in the bounce houses, and she looked forward to trying out the playground and visiting the face-painting booth.

“I think I'll give it an A,” Aubrey said of the event, “because I can have fun with new people.”

Morgan Contreras, 16, of Penn Township, served her second stint as the volunteer face painter at Penn Township Community Day.

“I'm very artistic, and I wanted to help out in the community,” she said.

Morgan created a dozen designs for children to choose from for their facial art, or kids could decide on their own.

She said the youngsters who had their faces painted were easy subjects.

“They never cry,” Morgan said. “They sit patiently and wait, and they're happy with the result.”

Wendy Bradshaw danced her way back to her family after getting a blue snow cone as the event's DJ played a classic rock toe tapper.

She came from Telford, Bucks County, to visit her daughter in Butler who had recently delivered a baby.

The family decided to spend Saturday at Harcrest Park, as her daughter had attended Community Day before and recommended it.

Bradshaw enjoyed the hayride, which she deemed longer in duration than most.

“It's really nice,” she said of Community Day. “Everyone is really friendly.”

She appreciated the lack of long lines at the booths, food trucks and activities and the fun, family-friendly vibe of the day.

“It deepens your sense of community,” Bradshaw said of small community festivals. “You feel like you're a part of something.”

A patriotic booth at the event was filled with members of the Penn Township Veterans Association, including 102-year-old World War II veteran Dennis Bogan, who remains as sharp as a tack despite his advanced age.

Chuck Kaczmarek, president of the association, said the veterans shared information about their club on Saturday. The group maintains the veterans memorial at the intersection of Airport and Three Degree roads, as well as a cemetery off Dodds Road. They also participate in veteran funeral and

graveside services upon request.

He said the veterans also shared their individual military stories with those who visited the booth.

“The younger generation should understand what the veterans have gone through during all the wars,” said Kaczmarek, who is a Vietnam veteran of the Navy, “and it's important for the younger generation to know what we're doing in Penn Township.”

Another booth at the event was manned by representatives of the South Butler Community Library, who gave out baggies with information on the library's programs and events.

Bridget Weleski, youth program leader, said some of the programs offered at the library are children's storytime, a free quarterly jigsaw puzzle exchange, Lego Days, chess tournaments, free e-books and audio books, a monthly book club, computer, fax and copying services, and more.

“It's important for the community to be aware of the wide variety of programs we have for adults, teens, toddlers and infants,” Weleski said.

She said the library also offers opportunities for families to meet one another while attending a program or participating in activities.

“It's a real chance for the community to come together,” Weleski said.

She said the library has set up a booth at Penn Township Community Day since it was originally held at Nixon United Methodist Church.

“It's really great,” Weleski said. “There are so many fun things for the kids to do.”

Nicole Tempalski, finance administrator for Penn Township, has been organizing Community Day for three years.

She said proceeds from the event's raffles and 50/50 drawings are split between the township police department, volunteer fire department and Butler Ambulance Service. She estimated that each would receive around $1,500.

Fire department and police vehicles and personnel were available at the event for perusal by children and those in attendance.

“One main reason people come is to support our emergency services,” Tempalski said.

She said the months of planning, lining up more than 50 volunteers and worrying about the weather are worth it when she sees all the smiling faces at the event.

“Everyone gets together for one day to talk, laugh and invest in our community,” Tempalski said.