A schedule loaded with food, worship and fun is in store this weekend for Wesley United Methodist Church’s second annual Keeping It Real celebration.
The church’s three-day event kicks off Friday evening with a taco bar at 6 o’clock, followed by a social gathering period and a 7 o’clock worship service at the church at 301 E. Madison Ave.
Casual attire is suggested, said the Rev. Trudy the Anderson, who will lead the service.
Another service begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at the church. The United Methodist Women will host a dessert bar and fellowship afterward.
The events hit high gear Sunday morning at Riverside Park.
A communitywide worship service begins at 10:30, followed by a barbecue lunch. Pulled pork and side dishes will be provided.
Then the fun begins.
A school carnival, filled with games, prizes — even a dunk tank — will fill the afternoon.
Students will earn tickets by competing in different games, then use those tickets for free school supplies.
All children who attend can enter a free drawing to win a backpack filled with other school supplies. One backpack will be given to each boy and girl.
The drawings are slated for about 3 p.m., when the carnival concludes.
The Wesley UMC Praise Band will perform at the park Sunday, as well as at the church on Friday and Saturday.
Worshippers of all stripes are invited to attend the non-denominational services.
“We tried to schedule it so people can attend their own church, then make it for our meal and the carnival,” Kenyon Anderson said. “Everybody will leave with a prize.”
Last year’s service drew more than 200 worshippers, and scores of children to the carnival.
Wesley members have worked extensively to purchase supplies in recent weeks to ensure enough are on hand for the participants.
“The nice thing is we have so many different teams involved,” Kenyon Anderson said. “It’s our most all-encompassing outreach event we do all year.”
