The Gathering draws hundreds to Belpre’s Civitan Park
Zander Greathouse, 9, of Vincent, tries to hit the levitating ball with his bat and hit a home run spot on the inflatable’s backboard, while Frank Meredith from Mullen Memorial Baptist Church supervises and works the game. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
From left, David Cain, who was brought in from Cincinnati by the Washington County Public Library to do juggling and magic, teaches Jacob McCoy, 8, from Gahanna, Ohio, to balance a spinning disk. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
Children enjoyed decorating rocks at the seventh annual Gathering of churches at Civitan Park on Saturday. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
People placed seats near the stage to enjoy the band’s music while watching children play on the inflatables. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
Zander Greathouse, 9, of Vincent, tries to hit the levitating ball with his bat and hit a home run spot on the inflatable’s backboard, while Frank Meredith from Mullen Memorial Baptist Church supervises and works the game. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
From left, David Cain, who was brought in from Cincinnati by the Washington County Public Library to do juggling and magic, teaches Jacob McCoy, 8, from Gahanna, Ohio, to balance a spinning disk. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
Children enjoyed decorating rocks at the seventh annual Gathering of churches at Civitan Park on Saturday. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
People placed seats near the stage to enjoy the band’s music while watching children play on the inflatables. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
Trending
BELPRE -- Hundreds of people gathered at Civitan Park in Belpre on Saturday to enjoy free food, games and music at the seventh annual Gathering.
The Gathering is an event put on by local churches and organizations to reach out to community members and celebrate the close knit community.
Rick Hastings, pastor of Pioneer Presbyterian Church in Belpre, there were 11 churches and 10 community organizations involved in this year's event.
The churches were handing out food, snacks and supervising or working games and inflatables.
Community organizations offered face painting, crafts, chances to win prizes and information on becoming involved with the organizations.
"The event is aimed for families to learn about what the community offers, from Scouts and the library to youth activities in the churches," Hastings said, adding it has continued to grow over the years.
"Last year there was around 600 people who came out to enjoy the event, and we hope for similar or larger numbers this year," he said.
The churches present were of various Christian backgrounds, including Presbyterian, Baptist, Catholic and more. Hastings referred to the Gathering as a community of Christ.
"We want to show unity in our faith even amongst the separate denominations. We still serve the same god, and possess the same goals" Hastings said.
Written on signs around the park was "Together we can make a difference, achieve the extraordinary, do impossible and reach new heights."
Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com