The 70th annual St. Peter Roman Catholic Church summer picnic was held Aug. 1 on the grassy, tree-lined church grounds at 4 S. Fifth St., Coplay.

Attendance was robust at the event, billed as a picnic and a homecoming. Some people have not seen each other since last year’s picnic. Attendees began to arrive well before the noon start time.

The former St. Peter pastor, retired Monsignor John Martin, was present to show support for his beloved parish. The current pastor, Monsignor and Vicar General David James cheerfully moved among the attendees, who were glad to see him.

Entertainment was provided by the Emil Schanta Band, playing mostly polkas but also a variety of songs, and later by Flirtin’ with the Mob.

Large tents were erected to combat showers that occurred during the day. Numerous pop-up tents adorned the church grounds.

The adult beverage stand was staffed by the father/son team of Ed and Mike Betz, who flew in from Arizona to be at the picnic. Bingo was held in the church social hall.

There were numerous kids games, and the ever-popular train, pulled by a tractor and surrounded by a bubble-making machine, ran along its grass track all day.

There was a wide array of foods to choose from, including hot dogs, cheesesteaks, barbecue, ice cream, cakes, popcorn, cotton candy, and other desserts. The parish 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.

There also was a large, beautiful basket raffle.

Longtime picnic volunteers were present, such as Bob Hauke, Beverly Sobchak, Audrey and Rick Hess and Jeanette and Leon Galitsky. All food and drinks utilized tickets to better control the flow of money. Numerous volunteers have been assisting at the church picnic for decades.

Goodwill and fellowship were abundant throughout the day as many attendees reconnected with friends and family members they may have not seen for a while. Several attendees, around the age of 70, reminisced about attending morning Mass in their youth and eagerly anticipating the picnic after the service.

St. Peter’s was built in 1917 by German, Austrian and Hungarian immigrants who flocked to America in the early 20th century to seek a better life for their families.

The church founders left Europe, in part, because of the difficulties generated by World War I. They arrived and experienced the brief Roaring Twenties, then struggled with the deepest economic panic in U.S. history, followed by World War II. Those first 30 years were challenging times for the church immigrants and homegrown members.

By the 1950s, the nation and Coplay stabilized, with church members in a better, safer living situation. At that time, church leaders were thinking in a celebratory mindset. In 1954, the first St. Peter’s church picnic was held.

An impressive amount of planning and coordinating of numerous volunteers and activities occurred to make this year’s picnic a success. As an example of dedication, planning for next year’s 71st annual picnic will reportedly begin about a week or so after this picnic is over.

The German word zusammenkunft is defined as a larger gathering of people for some purpose. Billed as a reunion, the picnic’s purpose was clear — plenty of goodwill, food, music and fun were evident.