For the 22nd time since 1997, Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church congregants and friends from throughout the Lehigh Valley got to enjoy picnic fare, games, music, prizes and fellowship at the church’s annual summer festival and old-fashioned congregational picnic at the church’s Devonshire Road campus adjacent to the Salisbury Middle School.

Linda Held, the church’s parish coordinator, said the picnic has been held every year since 1997 without a rain out. “We had a shower last year, but it did not stop us,” Held said.

Hamburgers, hot dogs, meatball sandwiches and pierogis were available in abundance, along with other picnic fare and listeners in lawn chairs enjoyed popular music by Dan Flok and the Ravens, a Lehigh Valley musical group composed of local musicians. That group had listeners singing along and swaying in their seats, but young and old alike rose as one as the church’s festival band struck up the chords of the national anthem.

Youngsters enjoyed face painting and games and everyone joined in competing for prizes in the cake walk version of musical chairs. For many it was a sweet dilemma as they circled the raffle basket table trying to decide where they wanted to leave their ticket for a chance to win.

It was the good-time kind of day that only a perfect early summer day can provide.