St. Mark's church member Chris Bjorgan is fed cherries by Judy MacLachlan on the front wall of the church grounds on Byron Street. St. Mark's Church is set to host its annual Cherry Festival tomorrow, July 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For 18 years it has been a tradition at St. Mark's Anglican Church and there's no sign of slowing down in 2008.

Tomorrow, the church will host its annual Cherry Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and for close to 20 years, the event has been one of the main fruit festivals in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

"We certainly cover all the fruits in the town and cherries are our specialty," said Judy MacLachlan, a member of the festival's organizing committee. "We pray for good weather this year. We hope the sun will be shining, the temperature warm and visitors by the hundreds."

Organizing committee member Chris Bjorgan said church members have worked hard in the last week to make preparations for the event flawless. Bjorgan said the event will feature a yard sale, barbecue, treasure area, clothing sale, bake table, silent auction and children's corner.

"Of course, we can't forget the cherries," Bjorgan said. "Cherry pies, jam, and ice cream floats. It will all be there."

The cherry festival is a major fundraiser for St. Mark's. The event raises about $25,000 ever year.

While everything will go ahead as planned, Bjorgan said the one thing that won't be the same is the inclusion of the church's pastor, Bob Wright, who is ill.

"He was a big part of every festival. This will be the first one Bob will miss," Bjorgan said.

St. Mark's Anglican Church is located at 41 Byron Street.

For more information, call 905-468-3123.