For 70 years, Pleasant View has not just been a retirement community, but has been a part of the greater Manheim community," said Kailah Buckwalter, marketing specialist. "What better way to celebrate that special relationship than a day of fun where all generations can be together and enjoy various activities and learn about different organizations in the community?"

That's the goal of the annual Community Day. The celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, at the Pleasant View Communities campus, 544 N. Penryn Road, Manheim.

The festivities will include food, fun and activities for people of all ages.

The auxiliary at Pleasant View will host a chicken barbecue, featuring meals from Peters' BBQ.

"Our auxiliary historian notes Peters' BBQ was an annual feature of the Community Day event starting in the 1990s," said Pam Hoffman, auxiliary president. "The Peters' family connection to Pleasant View was through family members who were residents."

Preorders for meals are due Wednesday, May 7. Each meal will include a half-chicken, a baked potato, applesauce, a roll and butter, a whoopie pie and water. Order forms may be obtained at various locations throughout the campus, including the main entrance, as well as online at https://pleasant-view-communities.square.site.

"Pre-event meal orders are strongly encouraged as there will be a limited number of meals and half-chickens available for purchase during Community Day," Hoffman said. "Pick up a meal or share a table with family and friends in the square. Look for volunteers wearing chicken hats in the Pleasant View Communities Town Square."

Additional food options at the Community Day celebration will include Twisted Sisters Ice Cream Truck and food from the on-site Hearth and Harrow restaurant.

People can also enjoy visits from kittens and senior dogs, farm animals from the on-site Hoffer Farm, face painting, balloon art, games, vendors and live music from the Lampeter-Strasburg Community Band and The Chestnuts. Participating organizations will include Hope Served Cafe and Angels Among Us animal sanctuary.

"Before or after you stop by Community Day, you can visit the Manheim Community Library, which has moved into their new home at the Kreider Farms Cultural Center at Pleasant View," Buckwalter said, noting that the address is 547 N. Penryn Road, Suite B. "Their book sale will be held May 14 to 17, with a bag sale on the 17th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m."

Community Day, which is organized by community engagement coordinator Aubrey Smith, will be held rain or shine. In the case of inclement weather, activities will move indoors. Organizers encourage attendees to bring cash to pay for food and vendor purchases.

Overall, the event will bring people together to celebrate the residents of Pleasant View and the larger community, Buckwalter said, adding, "Our Town Square will be packed with food, activities and music for the whole family to enjoy."

For more information, visit https://pleasantviewcommunities.org/events.