There's just something about kids and water and slides and summer. It feels like fun. It feels like community.

Zion Lutheran Church's upcoming Community Water Slide Day is a unique event that's built on those institutions. It's one of four community outreach events that the church sponsors yearly.

"It's not exactly a carnival, but there's like a buzz," said Keith Shetter, a member of Zion Lutheran's evangelism team. "It's a great way to escape the summer heat. There's a lot to see and do. It's well attended. It's for young and old. It's just a good time. The vibe is summer fun. People need to be there to understand."

Located at 18 Quarry Road, Leola, Zion Lutheran Church will hold its Community Water Slide Day on Saturday, Aug. 10, from noon to 4 p.m. The free wet and wild event will feature two 25-foot, elevated and hydrated slides - one of which is a racing slide - a splash zone, an inflatable obstacle course and a kiddie pool.

But that's not all. The event will be enhanced by free hot dogs, popcorn and watermelon, live music, a magician, a juggler and Bible trivia. In addition, members of the East Lampeter Township Police Department, the New Holland Ambulance Association and a number of local fire companies and their apparatus will be on hand.

"It's an opportunity for people who can't afford a play day at the beach or at Hersheypark to have a day of fun in their own backyards," said Shetter. "We wanted to reach everyone in the community who is less fortunate than us and give them something to look forward to. We live in a place in Leola that has several low-income communities. It's really developed into a grand event."

Members of Zion's evangelism team came up with the concept of a water slide day 15 years ago. But not even they could've imagined what the event has evolved into.

"People look forward to it, and there will be other community partners there," said Shetter. "I don't know that there's another water slide day around. I think it's kind of unique. It's certainly special to us. We've embraced it as a way to give back. It definitely gets you pumped up to see the joy of those who are a part of it."

Zion Church also sponsors a community movie night in the spring, a Trunk or Treat event around Halloween and a Christmas-themed event in November or December.

"This is the biggest event compared to the others we put on," said Shetter. "As an evangelism team, we look for ways to serve the church and the community. It's a way to engage in a really loving way."

A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Churches in America, Zion Church is composed of 200 members. Karen Larson is Zion Lutheran Church's pastor.

"The people who are there are definitely enthusiastic about serving God and others," said Shetter. "We come to learn, and we've learned to serve. What we learn on Sunday we take out into the world. We want to engage in the community."

For additional information about Zion Lutheran Church, go to http://www.zionleola.org.