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Brookfield United Methodist Church plans Summer Fest
By LINDA M. LINONIS
BROOKFIELD
Summer Fest revolves around community outreach and involvement.
Pastor Dick Smith of Brookfield United Methodist Church, which is sponsoring the fifth annual event this weekend, said the fest fulfills a church mission of “working with the community.”
“It’s an ongoing goal for us to reach out to the community and be involved,” he said.
The church is near the Village Green at 6951 Grove St. “We think of ourselves as the community church. ... We’re in the middle of town,” he said.
The goal of Summer Fest is to “bring people together to have a good time in a positive and safe environment,” the pastor said. The two-day event is family-friendly and offers activities to interest children, youths and adults.
Becky Hoffman, a Brookfield UMC member since 1974, is treasurer of the church and fest. “Church members felt it was important to sponsor such an event to bring the community together,” she said. She added the range of activities is family-oriented.
“Our food booth at the fest has become a major fundraiser for the church,” Hoffman said. Church members make chicken on the spit, sausage sandwiches and pulled-pork sandwiches.
“Members make from 50 to 60 pies,” she said, adding slices of pie are sold. Depending on sales, whole pies are sometimes available Sunday.
Hoffman said the biggest crowd is usually at the fest for the community parade at 5 p.m. Saturday. She said people attend that, then get something to eat and stay for the concert.
Pastor Smith said one of the most popular and hilarious events is the bed race that will take place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. He said last year was the inaugural bed race. “It was a lot of fun.” Each group had a turn pushing a decorated hospital bed. Church member Bill McMullin, 92, was among participants.
The Ellen Jessup Memorial Bike and Wagon Parade also draws a lot of interest. The event is named for the late Ellen Jessup, who supervised the preschool at the church for many years.
Brookfield Optimist Club sponsors the activity and gives prizes for such entries as most-patriotic decoration, best sports theme, best Brookfield theme, youngest and oldest riders and best in show. There also is a blessing of participants.
Another event that attracts is the pet parade that will take place at 1 p.m. sponsored by Village Green Veterinary Services. Pastor Smith said there also will be a pet blessing.
The Brookfield 5K scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday is sponsored by Brookfield Auto Parts, which supports the Brookfield Backpack Charitable Fund. A portion of the proceeds from entry fees will benefit the fund. This year, about 150 backpacks filled with school supplies will be distributed to students in need who attend Brookfield schools.