The past two years there were no amusement rides and games, no live entertainment and no fireworks at the annual St. Joseph’s Catholic Church summer festival in Summit Hill.

Because of the pandemic, the event was changed to a drive-in event.

Despite the drastic changes, it was still a big hit with a steady flow of vehicles attending for takeout order during the two-day period.

The festival was held Friday night and Sunday afternoon.

Attendees drove to the church grounds where volunteers took food orders. The food was prepared in the church basement and then delivered to the vehicles in the church parking lot.

There was quite a variety of food choices including halupki, bleenies, halushki, pierogies, funnel cakes, wings, soups, burgers, meatball sandwiches, sausage sandwiches, and other menu items, all made by volunteers in the church basement.

Father Bob George, who came to the church as a priest only a month ago, said he was impressed by both the number of volunteers and the community turnout.

“It went great,” said George. “We had a great crowd Friday and a steady crowd on Sunday.”

He said although he wasn’t here last year, he was told by parishioners that the attendance this year was on par with the first one.

The festival was changed to a drive-in setup last year because of the pandemic.

George said there were over 100 volunteers helping prepare the food, park cars, take orders and carry them to the vehicles over the two-day period.