Hot and humid weather, about 15 degrees above the average temperature, greeted attendees of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church’s parish festival June 5 and 6. Although humid weather and a thunderstorm late afternoon June 6 occurred, the weather did not dampen attendees’ enthusiasm.

The closed Pershing Boulevard thoroughfare, in front of St. Elizabeth’s complex in Whitehall, found a large attendance streaming in that filled up the area. Heat notwithstanding, revelers sat at tables enjoying great food and drink as they listened to the popular local band Steel Creek June 5. Unfortunately, Flirtin’ with the Mob was canceled June 6 due to the thunderstorm.

The festival was on the parish grounds and resembled a large street fair at 435 Pershing Blvd. The event included children’s entertainment, such as a basketball shoot game, football toss game, face painting and more. The large moon bounce was popular with youngsters. Adult games like bingo, a gambling wheel and raffles were also offered for patrons’ entertainment.

There was an animal petting area by Lehigh County 4-H Club that featured two cute miniature Nigerian dwarf goats. One goat named Evie, cute as a button, was only 7 months old. She was held by 4-H member and Eastern University student Talia Fogel, of Whitehall. Another handsome young Nigerian dwarf goat also attracted much attention. Several Angora rabbits captured the attention of small children who enjoyed holding and petting the cute, docile, fluffy bunnies.

A youngster named Ellison enjoyed having painter Mary Jo Brown design a fun picture on her cheek.

A major attraction was the ethnic and varied festival foods. The church’s famous halupki dinners, along with cabbage and noodles, funnel cakes, potato pancakes and pierogies, were a big hit.

Dan Driscoll, of Salisbury, and Doug Wunderler, of Whitehall, were busy cooking potato pancakes on an open grill. Tony Cocca and Jerry Padden, both from Whitehall, along with others, staffed the adult beverage stand and gambling wheel.

Festival fare foods offered included steak sandwiches, hamburgers/cheeseburgers, sausage and pepper sandwiches and hot dogs. Desserts included snow cones, baked goods and waffles and ice cream. Refreshments included beer, adult slushies, soft drinks, coffee, tea and water.

Dennis Rasley, of Salisbury, and Louise Roma and her daughter Tina Roma-Fisher, of Whitehall, cheerfully staffed the sausage and steak sandwich stand as they efficiently served hungry patrons. Volunteers for food ticket sales were Jim Biccardi, of Allentown, and Ellen, of Whitehall, who were kept busy.

In the church social hall, Abigail Kneller and Terry Murray, of Whitehall, offered various kids items for sale.

Attendees agreed it was a wonderful event even though some aspects of the festival were canceled or moved indoors. When the storm hit June 6, patrons scrambled inside to continue the festival in the church social hall until the storm passed. All still enjoyed great food and refreshments as they spent time with friends and acquaintances away from the rain.

The movement indoors afforded attendees to remember the anonymous adage, “You cannot adjust the wind, but you can adjust your sails.”

The storm certainly did not dampen any festival spirit.