Despite the heat Saturday, many Jim Thorpe area residents came out to enjoy the Stars and Stripes Community Picnic held at Memorial Park in Jim Thorpe and hosted by the Jim Thorpe Lions Club.

“It was a great turnout,” said Keri Gallagher, Picnic Committee chairperson. “We had so many people say this was a great idea and (they) enjoyed the day.”

A flag-raising ceremony was held by members of Boy Scout Troop 555 of Jim Thorpe. There was also the bell ringing and a flyover to mark the event.

The day featured plenty of delicious food like chicken barbecues, hot dogs, halushki, pierogies, pasta salad, walking tacos, plus drinks, ice cream and watermelon.

Several fan-favorite contests were held to celebrate.

First were the pie-eating contests. There was one contest for children and one for adults. The goal was to eat as many miniature blueberry pies as possible within two minutes.

Six-year-old Addy Eller from Jim Thorpe won the children’s contest, while Jake Heydt, also from Jim Thorpe, won the adult competition.

Thirteen children entered the Bike Decorating Contest. All the bicycles, tricycles and a scooter or two were decorated with red, white and blue balloons, streamers and other kinds of patriotic decor.

First place went to Christian Ciabattari, while Gabe Heydt placed second and Ethan Craigie placed third.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas hosted an old-fashioned cake walk, where many people won home-baked cakes and pies as well as watermelons.

Dave Matsinko provided live music during the picnic. Magician Mark Mysterio did magic shows and walked around performing magic tricks, accompanied by his wife, Miss Direction, who also did face painting.

Jim Thorpe Lions Club President Jim Logue thanked the sponsors.

“Thanks to Highland Beverage of Jim Thorpe for providing us with beer and birch beer,” he said. “Also, thanks to the Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank, Bear Mountain Real Estate, Nature’s Trail, Thrivent, the Jim Thorpe Rotary Club and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.”

“Thank you also to the Picnic Committee and Chairperson Keri Gallagher for all their hard work. They made this event truly successful.”