When local churches held the third annual Bowmansville Community Family Fun Day last year, the response was overwhelming. "We ran out of food," confessed Phil Shober, pastor of St. Paul's United Church of Christ (UCC). Organizers had planned enough food for 500, but more was necessary.

"Last year, we went and got more food," explained Tony Witmer, lead pastor with Bowmansville Mennonite Church (BMC).

"We are planning to have more food this year," concluded Rick Ringler, event chair and BMC member, who added, "Last year was great because we had a lot more people."

For 2025, Bowmansville Community Family Fun Day will be held on Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with food served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event will again be held in the Bowmansville Park, 155 Church St., Narvon, and it will feature free food, games, love music and more. Family Fun Day will be held rain or shine.

According to Witmer, not a lot has changed for this year, but organizers do regularly tweak the activities. "Each year we learn a little bit and make adjustments," he stated. "We like to keep people wondering what's going to happen," he added with a chuckle. This year's activities will include pony rides, a bounce house, face painting, barrel train rides, fire engine rides, and horse-drawn covered wagon rides. New this year will be a special show by Jesse Rothacker, The Reptile Guy, founder of Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary. Rothacker's educational programs feature live animals, including snakes, lizards, and turtles.

Free food will include hot dogs, french fries, meatball sandwiches, and cotton candy.

On Sunday, June 15, at 10:30 a.m., a church service will be held under the tent in the park. Plenty of seating will be available at the event. During the service, a freewill offering will be received to benefit the Northeastern Lancaster County Food Bank, the Bowmansville Fire Company, and Good Samaritan Services of Ephrata.   

The churches united to organize the event following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions with the goal of building connection between the local community and area churches.