Heritage Fair at Camp Blue Diamond

The public is invited to the Middle Pennsylvania District's 39th annual Heritage Fair at Camp Blue Diamond Saturday, Sept. 21.

The fair will begin with a diner-style breakfast served in the lodge from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. There will be a 5K run/walk starting at the directors’ house at 7 a.m. Food and craft booths will begin selling items at 8:30 a.m.

During the day there will be a variety of demonstrations, displays and activities and entertainment for youth and adults of all ages. New this year will be an Escape Room Challenge. There will also be demonstrations on milking a cow, card tricks, bow drill, decoy making and making homemade ice cream.

An auction featuring baskets, handmade items and quilts will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude around 1 p.m.

For children there will be a special area with scarecrow making, face painting, cookie painting, a bounce house, saw dust pile, balloon animals, lots of games and activities.

Adults and youth can enjoy music, food and craft booths sponsored by churches, the Brethren Ministries Center, “Dunk the Dunker” tank, Dance Dance Revolution, historical demonstrations and Larry Etzwiler, a leading historian on Brethren history.

Craft and food Items will be available from about 30 church-sponsored booths. The making of many regional and traditional favorites will be available at the fair, including cider, hot sausage, candy and caramel apples, potato soup, beef and noodles, bean soup, apple butter, haluska, gobs, kettle corn, apple butter pies, varieties of fudge, varieties of pies, and assorted desserts.

On Sunday, Sept. 22, there will be a free continental breakfast at 9:15 a.m. in the main lodge followed by music with Joseph Helfrich and worship with Jeff Glenny, pastor of Spring Mount Church of the Brethren.

Originally organized in 1981, the fair has been held each year since, with the proceeds being split between Camp Blue Diamond and Middle Pennsylvania District Church of the Brethren ministries. These ministries support summer camp programs, calling and credentialing ministers, youth events and training workshops.

Parking and admission will be free. Shuttles will be available from the parking lots.

The annual event is sponsored by the 55 congregations in Middle Pennsylvania District and is held at Camp Blue Diamond, which is located seven miles northwest of Petersburg. Signs will be posted along Routes 22, 26 and 305 leading to camp.

The fair will be held rain or shine.

For more information, visit http://www.campbluediamond.org.