The 13th annual Atglen Community Day, featuring food, craft vendors, children's activities and entertainment, will be presented by Penningtonville Presbyterian Church and Atglen Public Library (APL) on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities will take place at Atglen Community Park, 400 Ridge Ave., Atglen.

Each year, the organizing committee plans a new attraction; last year it was a zip line. This year, it will be a combination rock wall and bungee trampoline. "There is a rock wall on one side and two bungee trampolines on the other side," noted committee member Cristi Hahn, Atglen Borough manager. "We are using Ridge Avenue for the rock wall." She noted that the attraction is open to people of all ages.

Entertainment will include a magic show and balloon animals, as well as a presentation by Critter Connections. Matt Holub will perform pop music on acoustic guitar. "He has never missed a year," said committee member Pat Softchin from Penningtonville Presbyterian Church.

Food, including chicken barbecue, fresh-cut french fries, hot dogs and hamburgers and chicken fingers will be provided by the church trustees. "The trustees will (prepare) the food, and the deacons will sell baked goods and their version of acai bowls, called Penningtonville Power Bowls," said Softchin. "The youth group will have a stand and sell cotton candy." The Octorara FFA milkshake truck will also be on hand.

Other attractions will be a dunk tank and a display of emergency vehicles by the Christiana Fire Company. APL will have a table of free books from Scholastic Literacy Partners. 

Craft vendors will be set up along the perimeter of the park, and there will be booths set up by representatives from local organizations. "We will have a lot of nonprofits set up and vendors to promote their organizations, whether it be the fire company and ambulance and local politicians," said Softchin. "They all donate something toward our auction."

The live auction will begin at 2 p.m., and there will also be an opportunity to win prizes through a random drawing, including gift baskets and gift cards. "All of the (items have been) donated from the local community and small businesses," Hahn said.

There will also be children's games and activities. "For a fee, you get a wristband for unlimited games and the bounce house inflatable obstacle course," Hahn said, adding that those who donate canned goods for the Octorara Area Food Cupboard (OAFC) will receive a discount.

Proceeds from Community Day are given to the APL and other local organizations, including the fire company, ambulance association and OAFC, among others. "We give everything we make each year and just keep a little seed money to start next year," Hahn said, adding that Community Day has grown through the years and that about 1,000 people attend the event annually from the Octorara community.

For more details about Community Day events, visit http://www.facebook.com/atglencommunityday. Those interested in a vendor space may email atglencommunityday@gmail.com up until the day before the event.