Not even the soggy, muddy field inside Chestnuthill Park could dampen visitors’ spirits or keep them from participating in Sunday’s Community Day.

“This is our first time out to it. I’m very impressed with all the activities,” said Diane Gower, of Summit Hill, while state trooper George Kerrick fingerprinted her son, Shawn, for his child identification kit.

The state police was one of about 50 vendors that participated in the fifth annual event. Township and county agencies, churches, three dance academies, musicians, volunteer organizations and local businesses handed out information and entertained the crowd all afternoon.

“We are handing out notepads and promoting the 2019 fair. We have sign-up sheets to have brochures sent to your home and fliers on how to enter items into the fair,” said Lisa Borger, a West End Fair committee member.

Katarina Frantz, 2018-19 fair queen, and two former fair queens, Tammy Edman and Krista Borger, were also helping at the fair tent and sharing with guests what it means to be a fair queen and how girls ages 16-20 can apply.

“As queen, you go to local events to promote agriculture and tourism. You may even go to Hershey to compete as Pennsylvania’s state fair queen in January. As queen, you make good connections and get to meet people,” said Borger, the 2015-16 fair queen.

There was even a 3-on-3 basketball tournament over on the fenced-in court. Participants had to preregister. There were different age groups, brackets and an elimination process, said Doug Atherton, chairman of the Community Day committee.

“The township gives a budget to the committee to provide food, activities, staging and transportation so that the event is completely free to the community,” he said.

The park’s parking lot was full. Some visitors parked elsewhere and walked a short distance to the park. Others used the off-site parking down the road at West End Fire Company, and a Pocono Pony shuttle drove guests to and from the event.

“We are very pleased. It’s a great event and great day. The parking lots are full. I don’t remember them ever being this full,” said Township Supervisor Chris Eckert.

He added that the township is up to about 18,000 residents.

The pony shuttle may not be that exciting, but the dark brown horse sisters Mayda and Cleo attracted guests who waited in line for a wagon ride. Driver Dalton Wilson and Scott Stephens of Stephens Sawmill & Horse Logging took them around the entire park via the wooded and paved trails. They have given wagon rides at previous Community Days.

Stephens said wagon rides are their weekend job. During the week, he does custom sawing with portable mill, sells lumber, selective cutting and all skidding is done with horses.

More than 100 raffle items awaited guests inside the park building. This basket raffle extravaganza benefits the West End Park and Open Space Commission, Atherton said.

Under the pavilion nearest the building, dancers from Pocono Academy of Dance, Cartesion Dance Academy, and West End Academy of Dance performed for the audience at various times. Gaby’s Yoga Studio also gave demonstrations of yoga poses and techniques.

Nearby, Boy Scout Troop 98 of Brodheadsville handed out pizza, snacks, drinks and ice cream. The food was free; however, many gave generous donations to support the Scouts.

Across the soggy field on the stage, three bands performed: Out of the Blue, Double Shot and Bandana Brothers. A crowd sat on lawn chairs and hay bales to watch the musicians.

“I think the people who attend have a great time and the vendors get a lot of foot traffic. We have been fortunate that the weather cooperates each year, despite the muddy field,” Atherton said.

For more information about township events or news, visit http://www.chestnuthilltwp-pa.gov.