8-25-2022 12:32am

"Great Swamp Picnic" Offers Family Fun and Food

Lesley Misko Editor

Although deeply rooted in the long- ago history of this community, New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church knows how to throw a party in 2022. Their skills as hosts will again be on display at the “Great Swamp Picnic.”

This year’s event, in keeping with the 100-plus years old tradition, will take place rain or shine the fourth August Saturday, the 27, from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. at the church picnic grove, located between Rte. 663 and Lutheran Road on Swamp Picnic Road in Gilbertsville.

Event planners promise food, music, and fun. “It is truly great family fun for all ages,” says Scott Staub, Pastor at the church for the last four years. Pastor Staub is also pleased to share that the church parking has recently been redone and now makes it easy for people with mobility issues to park or be dropped off right by the park pavilion. Concert attendees and those who wish to stay a while and eat dinner are encouraged to bring lawn chairs

Always a picnic highlight, the Boyertown Alumni Marching Unit will perform from 6:00- 8:00 P.M. Music selections will showcase many genres and include songs from Star Wars, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Sousa marches, and a trumpet sextet playing Arlen R. Saylor’s special arrangement of “Three Blind Mice,” among others.

An impressive variety of foods will be available for purchase, including five complete dinner options such as grilled chicken and pulled pork accompanied by baked beans and potato salad. For those with smaller appetites there is an array of hot sandwiches, corn on the cob, and french fries. You will want to save room for dessert: options include watermelon, cake, pie, and over ten different flavors of Longacre’s ice cream. Dinner prices range from $5.00- $12.00; sandwiches, from $2.00- $8.00; desserts from $ .50- $4.00. Please note that all food purchases are cash only.

Susan Gutshall, church office manager, shares that another popular feature of the picnic is a flea market. “Church members donate items for sale and the proceeds from the sale are donated to a non-profit organization that church members select,” she says. “There are also games available tor the kids,” Gutshall adds.

Pastor Staub sums it all up: “It’s a great day full of local goodness-- with people, with food, with fun.” New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church is clearly overflowing with energy, especially since it has been here for over 300 years.