Families are invited to Ruhl's Church on Saturday, Sept. 24, for a free Carnival Night. The event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the church, 4810 Elizabethtown Road, Manheim.

"We are going to have six stations set up," said Kris Gray, church member and an organizer of the event. "Each one will have a fun activity and a faith lesson." People will be invited to try a fishing game, play cornhole, participate in a parachute toss and complete coloring pages. "We have a member of our church who will leading a learn-how-to-juggle station," Gray noted, "and we'll have a dart game, but it's with Velcro balls." After families go through the stations, they will be invited to enjoy ice cream at a make-your-own-sundae bar. All activities will be held in the church gym.

Gray explained that the church had been holding community movie nights but decided to try something new. "We really hope families will go through the stations together and try the games together," she remarked, noting that parents, grandparents and guardians are all invited. "It's fun for all ages."

Faith lessons that will be shared at each station will correspond to the station's theme. For example, Gray said, church members running the fishing station may discuss how Jesus taught the disciples to be fishers of men.

Barb Dunmire, who is organizing the event with Gray, noted that the Carnival Night offers a way for people to have a fun evening out for free, while also enjoying fellowship with other families. "We want people to come into our church, spend some good-quality wholesome family time together - some family bonding - and get to meet new friends," she stated. "We're excited to meet new families."

Reservations are recommended for the Carnival Night to ensure there are enough supplies for everyone, but they are not required. To make a reservation, call the church at 717-665-3400 and leave a message with your last name and the number of people who will be attending. "People can reserve up until the day before the event," Gray said, "but if they decide on the day of the event that they want to come, that's OK, too. We want everyone to come."