Apollo Bicentennial Event Schedule Tentatively Set
Apollo Borough Mayor Jeff Held details events tentatively on this July’s schedule of events to commemorate the municipality’s bicentennial to committee members last week during their monthly meeting.
by Jonathan Weaver
Plans are tentatively set for Apollo Borough’s biggest celebration coming this July.
This summer marks the riverfront community’s 200th birthday, and local officials and volunteers are geared up to make sure
Apollo Mayor Jeff Held gave directors a draft copy of nearly 30 individual events open to the community are planned for July 1-10 – including the opening of the 175th anniversary time capsule July 3 and free evening concerts in Owens Grove before a planned three-hour long parade down North Warren Avenue July 9.
Apollo Area Events Committee Chair Debbie Schrecengost explained how the annual parade will differ from years past.
“We’re looking for covered wagons, horses (and) some Indian representation because we’re starting off the parade as 1816 and going through time until 2016,” Schrecengost said.
But, she said committee members also hope for the usual floats, marching groups
The May 21 ‘Duck Derby’ – where 500 rubber ducks race down North 2nd Street – is the parade’s largest fundraiser, as well as the setting for the ‘Miss Apollo Pageant.’
Officials collected nearly $800 toward the festivities during the New Year’s Dance at Apollo Hose Company #3 fire hall – including $250 from a Chinese auction basket raffle. The other half of the proceeds went to the fire department.
Organizer Keith Shank thanked those that helped organize the event.
“Everybody had a good time,” Shank said.
Committee members are discussing sending out letters and copies of the schedule of events to local residents
County Commissioners will also be invited to July’s festivities.
Chairman Dr. William Kerr and Executive Director Tom Toland – who has been involved in the community for 40 years through teaching and in the Lions Club – praised the community volunteers that are organizing the big birthday bash.
“We’ve had some good leadership, good committees – a lot of people involved in the community. And I think it’s going to work out well,” Toland said.
“200 years only comes around once.”
The community was incorporated as the town of “Warren” in 1816 before being renamed “Apollo” more than 30 years later.
The committee will also sponsor a trip to Gettysburg battlefield June 18.
Hosted by retired United States Army Captain Robert E. Jackson (an Apollo-Ridge graduate that served two tours of duty in Iraq), the trip will allow up to 55 adults and students to tour the Gettysburg Museum and Visitors Center, go on a guided bus tour and eat in the Ford Motor Company classroom.
The celebration committee will subsidize any K-12 student, but tickets must be reserved by February 15.
For more information, contact Debra Kerr at 724-478-3330.
Local News | jweaver January 11, 2016
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