Despite thunderous forecasts for last Saturday afternoon, family and friends

Dr. Mark Thomas directs the Upper Perkiomen High School Uptones Choir during its performance at Saturday's event in Pennsburg. Several other musical groups also particpated.

friends ventured out to attend the Family Fun Festival at St. Mark's Lutheran Church on Main Street in Pennsburg for a good cause.

            Spearheaded by Connie Taglieber and Heather Schmitt, all proceeds from the Family Fun Festival were raised to help fellow church member and former festival planner, Lisa Sell, with medical costs.

            "It's overwhelming, it takes your breath away," stated Sell.

            Sell, former Upper Perk resident, was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January of this year.

Lisa Sell, former organizer of St. Mark's Family Fun Festival, is welcomed to the event by a well-wisher. This year the Festival proceeds were donated to Lisa for her medical expenses after she was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

            "It shows how much people love and care about you, it's remarkable" stated Sell.

            Sell typically leads festival planning at St. Marks where proceeds benefit the church; however, she could not take on the responsibility for the spring festival due to her diagnosis.

            "We decided in February when Lisa could not do the festival anymore that we would, because we knew she really enjoyed these festivals and we did not want it to fall through," stated Schmitt and Taglieber.

            During the festival, vendors lined the sidewalk, as attendees paraded through used book sales and various family orientated recreation.

            Other activities included face painting, a balloon artist, crafts, raffle baskets, bake sale, and wagon rides around the block. Food was also donated by the East Greenville Fire House.

            One of the most highlighted events was the comedy show by the Amazing Larry Vee Zany that included fire eating, juggling, and unicycle tricks.

            "We were really excited to book him, our church member saw him at a local event and said he was awesome" stated Schmitt.

            Afterwards, the Amazing Larry Vee Zany walked around and taught kids how to juggle in a more hands-on experience.

            Friends and family also enjoyed various live musical performances from local groups such as the A-Choir from the Upper Perkiomen High School, "Make Music Upper Perk", and St. Mark's very own Sunday school kids.

            "I would like to thank my whole church and the church ministry, as well as, everybody who came that brought their families and friends even though they may not know who I am," stated Sell.

            Currently, Sell is being treated with chemotherapy and is waiting to see if radiation or surgery is an option.