BY SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

Eighteen years ago, Union United Church of Christ, Neffs, staged the first Blues Night Out in the church grove.

The festival took place each year until cancellation in 2020 due to COVID-19.

The event, always scheduled in late August, attracted a large crowd of people who were glad to have entertainment and various food treats before the end of summer.

Although COVID-19 precautions are still in place, the church will present a “Baby Blues Night Out” 10:30 a.m. Aug. 29 at the worship service.

Bev Conklin and her four-piece band will be special guests providing music during the worship time in the grove.

Lunch will be available.

Organizer Phil Wehr reports Union UCC offers support to the local arts community through the Blues Night Out programs.

Previously, musicians Sarah Ayers and James Supra performed at a summer worship service.

Tiffany Lakatosh, director of faith formation at Union UCC, has been meeting with children in the gazebo Sunday mornings for stories and a craft.

Her next session will be Aug. 22 with the theme, “The World Needs More Purple People.”

The gazebo was built as an Eagle Scout project by Nickolaus and Karl Schmidt Jr.

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Union Lutheran Church Schnecksville, had a Vacation Bible School project to collect school supplies for children in the area.

The VBS families generously donated a large amount of supplies which will be distributed to kids through the Northern Lehigh Food Bank.