The Lions Club of Kent recently held its first Sweet Corn Festival fund-raiser at Beckwith Orchard in Franklin Township. Co-chairing the event were John Gwinn and Fran Hardesty.

Club members grilled hot dogs and sausage sandwiches purchased from Vaughn's Market in Twin Lakes and cooked sweet corn from the James Pochedly Produce Farm in Hiram. Beckwith Orchard supplied the peach pies.

Proceeds from the event, which drew more than 2,500 people, will benefit the Lions International Sight First II campaign, part of the local club's pledge of $15,000. The commitment will take five years to complete and will help save the sight of about 2,500 people worldwide.

Charlie Beckwith treated patrons to a free half-hour narrated tour of the orchard aboard Molly the Trolley.

Musical performances were given by guitarist Kerry Kean and Dave Howard on guitar and mandolin. The Celtic Clan of Kent played traditional acoustic music of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Face painting and temporary tattoos were featured for the younger set.

This past year, Kent Lions donated more than $8,000 in local eye care to the greater-Kent community. Club members assisted professionals in conducting eye screenings in all of the Kent elementary schools.

The club participates in the Adopt-a-Highway program and regularly volunteers at Kent Social Services.

The membership is busy planning for the primary fund-raiser, the Carnation Sale, which will be held the beginning of November.