He calls himself "America's motivational entertainer," and he's coming to Mount Joy. Tom Coverly will perform a mixture of comedy and illusion at a free family fun night sponsored by Mount Joy Church of God. The event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 14, beginning at 6 p.m. in Little Chiques Park, 229 Park Ave., Mount Joy.

Coverly, who is based in Florida, has performed live on stage for more than 4 million people around the world. He's known for his ability to connect with the audience and leave both children and adults wondering, "How did he do that?" Coverly was looking for an opportunity to perform in the area, and he contacted his friend, Mount Joy Church of God pastor Richard Vaughn.

"Tom reached out to Pastor Vaughn and said he wanted to hold events on the East Coast this summer," said Heather Stark, administrative assistant. "So, we thought it would be a great opportunity to have Tom perform, and we could have a fun family event free to the community." Coverly's stop in Mount Joy is in the midst of a summer tour that will take him to venues throughout the country.

The event is part of the church's mission to connect with its neighbors, said Vaughn, who became pastor at Mount Joy Church of God in May. "We wanted to have an outreach for our community," he explained. "We want our neighbors to know that we care about them and the families that live here."

Vaughn said the event offers a chance for a fun evening out. "Everyone is asked to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on in the park," he stated, noting that the show will run about 90 minutes. "At times, the show will be interactive, and Tom will ask for volunteers to get on stage with him."

Free ice cream will be available at the event, and an offering will be received.

Vaughn encourages local residents to bring their families and friends to the performance. "Enjoy a free night in the park with a comedy and illusion show and ice cream," he remarked. "This will be a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere."

For more information on the event, search for "Mount Joy Church of God" on Facebook.