At the bottom of a steep hill along North Main Street in Lemont, there is a sign that advertises Alvernia Manor Summerfest. It is in an area that most Lemonters rarely pass. Yet, once people discover it, they love the small facility on its lush hill, according to Sister Cindy Drozd, Alvernia Manor Retirement Community administrator.

“We’re known as ‘The Hidden Gem of Lemont,’” Drozd said, as she mentioned the name originally came from a visitor. “We are a caring community in a Christian environment offering senior living, an adult day program and also respite care.”

Noting their annual Summerfest brings much-needed funding for updating the facility and developing programs for the residents, Drozd said “We’ve had the festival for years, and people say it has an awesome and exciting atmosphere.”

“We’ll have booths with prizes the adults can win and our lucky squares game, which will offer an opportunity to win a weekend in Door County, Wis.,” Assistant Administrator Sister Georgine Hroma said. “We will also have pony rides and kids’ games, food and delicious homemade bakery.”

Drozd said a number of the food items are sought after.

“We’ll have the traditional hamburgers and hot dogs,” Drozd said. “But we’ll also have brats and sauerkraut, Wing Dings — which are really tasty little chicken wings — and delicious, buttery corn on the cob. Then of course, we’ll also have our desserts — all homemade pastries including apple, peach, blueberry and cherry slices and apple strudel.”

And to burn off all of those calories, guests can always step up and dance to the disc jockey.

“He will play all different kinds of music, so there’ll be something to please every age group,” Drozd said.

Everyone enjoys themselves at the picnic including residents and their families, staff members, vendors and even people who come from the surrounding community, Drozd said. In addition, many family members come back year after year even after their loved ones have passed away.

“They come just because they like it,” Drozd said. “And for the families, it’s a time to have fun, which is important because it gives time for bonding. People who haven’t come before might even be surprised to see the sisters dancing. It gets the whole group going.

“There is a big flat platform with plenty of room for dancing, and you just entice people to get up,” she added. “It’s just fun. From the children to the seniors, they get up and dance with us.”

So bring your curiosity and your enthusiasm to Alvernia Manor Summerfest.

“People make it fun and the fun is contagious!” Drozd said.