PENDLETON — Good Shepherd Parish holds its annual picnic on the last Sunday of July every summer. This year, the event will take place on Sunday, July 27, on the same grounds once walked by St. John Neumann.

The "picnic" name was changed to "lawn fete" when Good Shepherd and St. Augustine parishes were merged into a single parish during the Journey in Faith and Grace in 2009. Father Daniel Young, the pastor of the parish, felt that the lawn fete was a good way to unite the two parishes with an exciting shared event. The picnic has been a long-standing tradition, and even the Venerable Nelson Baker attended the event with the Sisters of St. Joseph.

The family event will offer music all day in the grove as well as delicious food and fun activities for the whole family. Visitors can browse through an abundance of unique attic treasures at the rummage sale or take a chance on the selection of numerous theme baskets. The lawn fete raffle will have a drawing for $4,500 in cash prizes.

Beautiful hanging baskets will also be offered for sale and fruit baskets will be available to win. There will also be prize-winning games for both adults and children. Visitors can dine in or take out homemade chowder (which has been slow cooked in huge kettles and is made from a recipe passed down through generations) or chicken and rib dinners by Krolick's.

The Rodeo and Round Up took place for years in the back section of the parish property. Crowds always enjoyed watching horses perform amazing stunts in the large riding circle. Over the years, however, fewer horses were entered, so Father Young began a new tradition by offering a classic car show. The show has since become a huge hit. Car enthusiasts come from throughout the area to put their cars on display and to view the huge selection of classic cars entered in the show.

The lawn fete will take place at 5442 Tonawanda Creek North. Anyone with a classic car who would like to enter the car show may call the parish office at 716-625-8594 during normal business hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m Monday through Friday.