KULPMONT - The annual Holy Angels Parish picnic returns Friday and Saturday. A committee, led by chairman Dave Shinskie and the Rev. Andrew Stahmer has been planning the year's event since April.
The picnic begins at 5 p.m. Friday and continues until midnight. On Saturday, the picnic starts at 4 p.m. and ends at midnight.
Picnic attendees will be entertained by The Shoreliners from 7 to 11 p.m. each night and a fireworks display at 10 p.m. Saturday.
This year's menu includes porkette, Italian sausage, torpedoes, hamburgers, hot dogs, pierogi, haluski, french fries, funnel cakes, halupki (filled cabbage), pasta fazoli, pizza, corn on the cob, Polish sausage links, ice cream, fresh fruit cup, slushies and more.
Holy Name Society members will turn out their famous potato cake batter under the co-chairmanship of Jerome Buchinski and John Buggy. Both credit the hard work of their committee that handles a ton of potatoes and more than 350 pounds of onions in a process that "creates a product second to none," Buchinski said.
Among the other attractions at the picnic is a basket bonanza, which is chaired by Jill and Sherry Bozza.
Last year, more than 140 theme baskets, each valued at no less than $50, were awarded. Special prizes included a kayak, gas grill, bicycles, guitars, flat screen TV, a money tree, a lottery ticket tree and a Blessed Mother grotto ornament, among many others.
Sherry Bozza and her daughter Jill not only solicit donations for the theme baskets, they shop for, collect and prepare each entry in a professional manner, starting their venture many months before the event.
Following the fireworks display Saturday, a total of $3,000 will be awarded to lucky winners of the money raffle. Basket winners will also be announced at this time.
The children will be entertained with a tent full of games, face painting and activities, including handmade figures prepared by Christina Mrozek.
Stahmer thanked volunteers who work so hard to make this and past picnics a success. The parish and picnic committee also thanked Holy Angels parishioners and friends for their donations as well as area businesses and individuals who have made donations.