Now in its 40th year, Churchtown Day will be presented by the Caernarvon Historical Society on Saturday, Aug. 3. In addition to community yard sales along Main Street through the town, there will be a pancake breakfast at the Caernarvon Fire Company and a sale of items offered at the historical society building. The event will be held rain or shine.

Yard sales will begin at 7 a.m. on Route 23 in Churchtown, as well as in neighboring communities. Caernarvon Historical Society will also host a flea market at its property, 2148 Main St., Narvon, and at Caernarvon Township Park next door.

According to historical society president Yvonne Styer, Churchtown Day began in 1984 and is always held on the first Saturday in August. The only year the event was not held was 2020 due to the pandemic. "(Churchtown Day) used to be just (yard sales at) people's houses and the society. Now we expanded to where the school used to be. The township allows us to use that property for (yard sale) spaces," said Styer.

The historical society's yard sale items will be located on tables outside the building. "We will have household items donated (by society members)," noted Styer.

Those interested in renting a yard sale space in the park are asked to call Styer at 717-413-8342 or stop by the historical society any Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Vendors will get a 12-foot-wide space, and they must bring their own tables. "They can even bring a canopy if they like," she said.

Vendors are responsible for cleaning up any debris and items they do not sell. The historical society reserves the right to refuse yard sale vendors that are not offering appropriate items for sale.

In addition, the Caernarvon Fire Company will offer an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. The menu will include pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, orange juice and coffee. There will be separate prices for adults and children ages 4 to 10. The fire company is located at 2145 Main St., Narvon. For more information, search for "Caernarvon Fire Company" on Facebook.

Proceeds from the flea market will benefit the society and the upkeep of its building, which includes a local history museum with displays of local artifacts. The building is open on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by appointment. "Anyone can come in and check out our displays," Styer said, noting that the building houses a library of history books and research books, obituaries and an archives room.

Museum displays are changed several times a year. "Currently on display are items the people have recently donated to our society - anything that pertains to the history of Caernarvon Township," Styer said.

The Caernarvon Historical Society is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the history of Caernarvon Township. The society was first established in 1975 to restore the Caernarvon Presbyterian Chapel, built in 1843, for the bicentennial of the United States in 1976. The building is now the historical society's headquarters.

In addition to Churchtown Day in August, the historical society hosts a Memorial Day celebration and offers history programs with local guest speakers. For more information, visit http://www.caernarvonlancaster.org/community.