PIT CREW — Members of St. Thomas Episcopal Church and supporters gathered to peel about 32 crates of peaches in preparation for the 62nd-annual Peach Festival to be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 9. Among those taking part were, clockwise from left, Dorothy Hawkes, Lisa Fleming, Rich Mergen, Wendy Speer and Carol Village. -- Warren Scott

WEIRTON — For more than 60 years, area residents have been visiting St. Thomas Episcopal Church for its large peach shortcakes, served with whipped cream and ice cream on the side, as well as assorted other food.

And the long-time fundraiser will return from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 9 at the church at 300 Three Springs Drive.

Plans call for the event to include a car cruise, starting at noon, bounce house for children and hot dogs and other food and crafts for sale outside as well as a baked good sale and hot food prepared in the church’s kitchen.

The menu will include cabbage rolls, haluski and pierogies, which may be eaten in the church’s air-conditioned social hall or taken home.

Take-out orders may be placed that day by calling (304) 723-4120.

The event will include the Tisket-a-tasket Basket Drawing, with a variety of gift baskets and an overnight stay at Mountaineer Casino, Race Track and Resort among the prizes.

Rich Mergen, one of the event’s organizers, said for the first time, a limited amount of fresh peaches will be sold by the pound.

As they gathered in the social hall to peel about 32 crates of peaches, members and supporters of the church acknowledged putting together the event each year is hard work.

But it also brings back to them fond memories of past years.

Dorothy Hawkes noted the church has held other fundraisers, including annual spaghetti dinners at the church’s former location on Mildren Avenue.

Carol Village noted one year there was a British-themed event dubbed a Beef and Brew.

“My brother dressed as a bobby (an English police officer) and directed traffic,” she recalled.

Mergen noted members served roast beef and despite the name, strictly non-alcoholic beverages.

Wendy Speer recalled a simulated jousting event in which attendees on foot attempted to knock a “knight” from his log horse.

Mergen and others noted various clergy have been game to serve as the target for dunk tanks featured in past events.

He said pony rides were offered during the spaghetti dinners.

Speer recalled rocking her infant son, now 44 years old, as she took money for horse-drawn carriage rides that took attendees through the adjacent parking lot of businesses on Three Springs Drive.

While the church has scaled back such efforts in recent years, its members said they hope attendees will have a pleasant time.