The 71st annual St. Peter Roman Catholic Church summer picnic and homecoming was held Aug. 3 on the grassy, tree-lined church grounds, 4 S. Fifth St., Coplay. Billed as a homecoming, the event included plenty of good will, food, music, fun and perfect weather.

Attendance was robust. Karl Remback, formerly of Coplay, lived just about half a block from the church grounds nearly all his life. He said he has been attending annually for more than 65 years. Remback noted he enjoys seeing all the people he knows there.

Families and friends reconnect at the picnic. Families staked out small areas with their chairs and blankets as they socialized all afternoon and into the evening.

Many folks arrived by noon to order food to take home to help support the church. Lines for food formed rapidly, growing longer around dinner time.

The parish’s homemade pierogies were a top seller both at the outside stand and in the social hall where uncooked, take-home bags were sold by the dozen by Shirley Paukovits, Beth Ann Suarez and Marie Kolumber.

Foods for sale included hot dogs, cheese steaks, barbecue, ice cream, cakes, popcorn, cotton candy, other desserts and more. The adult beverage stand offered an full array of drinks.

There also was a large, beautiful basket raffle with quality items. Bingo was held in the church social hall. There were numerous kids games, and the ever-popular kids train featuring a bubble-making machine ran around its grass-worn track all day.

The picnic entertainment was provided by the Emil Schanta Band, playing mostly polkas but also a variety of songs, and Flirtin’ with the Mob. The bands performed in a portable band shell leased from Northampton Borough.

Longtime picnic volunteers Bob Hauke, Mike and Beverly Sobchak, Audrey and Rick Hess and many more helped make the day a success. Hauke and Beverly Sobchak were selling tickets for food and drinks.

St. Peter Pastor Monsignor David James was delighted with the success of the gathering. The beloved former pastor of the church, Monsignor John Martin, attended and was greeted by many of his former congregants.

Sisters Veronica, Harriet and Dorothy, who reside at the church convent, volunteered in food stands to help raise funds for the church. This was their first St. Peter picnic, and they were amazed at the size and good feelings of the patrons at the picnic.

A recently married couple with four weeks of marriage under their belt, Michael and Bernadette Adams, of Coplay, sought out the three nuns to introduce themselves in a welcoming gesture.

An extraordinary amount of planning and coordination occurs to make the picnic a success. As an example of persistent volunteer dedication, planning for next year’s 72nd annual picnic will begin about a week or so after this picnic is over, according to some volunteers.

Smiling faces appeared everywhere. Good will and fellowship were abundant throughout the beautiful summer day.