Jan and Steve Whitfield of Wiscasset and daughter Sarah Whitfield have been volunteering their help with Summerfest at First Congregational Church for more than 20 years. Sarah Whitfield, now 28, was early into her education at Wiscasset Primary School when she helped sell lemonade at Summerfest.

All the church’s members help in one way or another with the annual event, always held the fourth Saturday in July, the Whitfields said. This is Summerfest’s 32nd year.

Sometimes, one church member chairs the event, as Nancy Roby did in 2014. However, other past chairmanships have gone to more than one family member. That includes the Whitfields, who recalled chairing it previously from 2006 through 2009.

This year, they are chairing it together for the fifth time.

It isn’t about having something to do together. They are a close family, said Steve Whitfield, principal of Martel Elementary School in Lewiston. The motivation behind Summerfest for them and the rest of the congregation is the money the event yields for the church to donate to area charities, Whitfield said. The event raises money that the church donates later in the year, keeping none of it for the church coffers.

“We don’t keep any of the money. If it was to have a fancier fellowship hall or go in the church budget, I think (the event) would go away after a while, but when it’s to help other people, that keeps you going,” he said.

By chairing it as a family, they can juggle duties amongst themselves when someone has a schedule conflict, Whitfield said.

His daughter still likes taking part in Summerfest, with her favorite part coming around midday on the day of the event. That’s when the crowd is usually biggest and when most people are having lunch, including many faces she hasn’t seen in a while, Sarah Whitfield said In a telephone interview July 16 while on a trip to California.

The Whitfields have spent a good chunk of their Summerfest time over the years helping at the On-Common Cafe; but a bygone feature came to mind for Sarah Whitfield: “I spent many hours in the dunk tank, even on cold days,” Whitfield, a career counselor at Colby College in Waterville said.

Summerfest is a family tradition, Jan Whitfield said. “We always put that on the calendar first,” the retired school psychologist-specialist said.

Saturday’s event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the common, or inside the church if it rains. Jeff Grosser and the Jazz Razcals will perform until close to noon, followed by the Nor’easters Barbershop Chorus. Returning features this year include the On-Common Cafe; a silent auction whose items include an L.L. Bean kayak; the Giant Yard Sale, formerly known as the Jumble; and, at 10:30 a.m., the dog parade and contests. Entrants should arrive in time to sign up prior to the start of the parade, Jan Whitfield said.

As always, the congregation is hoping Summerfest will draw a good turnout of church members, other area residents and visitors, she said.