St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tamaqua will hold a Spring Festival and Community Block Party on May 7.

“It is just to get together in the spring of the year and start the summer off right,” said Vicar Dillon Epler.

The fundraising event - the first of its kind for the 200 E. Mauch Chunk St. church - is being organized by members of the church’s youth group.

“They wanted to do something for the church and the community,” Epler said.

After some thought, the youths realized that block parties aren’t being held as often as they once were.

“People don’t get together as much, so our high schoolers want to bring something like that back,” Epler said. “I said that our church can gladly do that.”

The festival and block party runs from 4-8 p.m. rain or shine on the church grounds. There will be music, festival games and prizes.

Tickets include a meal of hot dogs, hamburger, barbecue, meatball hoagies, pierogies, haluski, drinks and baked goods. Children 2 years and under are free.

“The meatballs will be homemade. So they (youth group members) will be making and rolling them,” Epler said.

Funds raised will be split between a church renovation project and a Schuylkill County charity of the high school students’ choice, Epler said.

Tickets are available Sundays when the church holds services but can be purchased on the day of the event.

“The high schoolers are very, very excited,” Epler said. “And this is all them (organizing the event). I think it’s great, really great.”

The church’s Facebook is at “St John Evangelical Lutheran Church.”