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2015 Ford City Summerfest Successful, but Donations Still Accepted

Crowds enjoyed all the diversity during Ford City’s Summerfest in July (KP File Photo)

by Jonathan Weaver

July’s Ford City Summerfest got better as the four-day weekend went on for Festival Co-Chairs Karen Buccieri and Denise Lasher.

“Overall, I’d say we did quite well,” Buccieri said.

After starting out the week with damp weather – and seeing how the weather effected Kittanning Hose Company #1’s ‘Waves of Thunder’ motorcycle show and the Worthington Carnival - and electrical concerns as vendors were supposed to arrive, Lasher – who will be a secretary at Lenape Elementary this school year – said problems dissipated.

“(Opening Night) when we talked, it (was) like ‘How are we going to get through this next day,’ but it was a lot better,” Lasher added. “Last year, we had a lot of problems too with the electric the first day– with there being so few of us, we were just overextended in so many areas – I think that’s why it seemed worse than last year.

“Walking through the park (July 4 and 5), it just gave you this good feeling, like ‘How did we pull this off?’”

Lasher said final profits have not been determined since some other bills are currently being paid

“But, we won’t be too far ahead. So, if there was anybody who was even considering giving us a contribution, we’d highly appreciate anything they could send,” Buccieri said. “We have bills to pay, and once we get them paid, we figure we’re going to pretty-much break even – which isn’t good because we do need start-up money.”

Money could help with equipment for Bingo or new electrical equipment

Volunteers for next summer’s event are also requested.

Buccieri – who performed in the Armstrong Festival Chorus with volunteer Grace Charney – predicted all the food vendors would return to the 2016 event, but not all vendors were approached

Nearly 50 booths were also set up in the park – about 30 craft vendors and 20 food options.

Ada Jean Hoffman has directed the 12-member chorus about 25 years.

“It was such a nice feeling to know that we actually pulled it off with the slow start due to the weather,” Lasher concluded.

$2 raffle tickets still remain for a second-chance drawing to win $500 worth of beverages from Armstrong Beer or Bylow Beer.

Interested buyers can message the committee chairs on the event Facebook page, call the SummerFest phone at (724) 525-1720 or e-mail fcsummerfest@gmail.com

  • By Just sayin, August 10, 2015 @ 7:28 AM

    As I wrote before: “After the fact, bless their hearts. The coordinators are trying to awake this town again.

    Maybe next year, do away with the parade or only have it every year or so? People kept waiting and waiting…and were in disbelief that there wasn’t more.” (There wasn’t one marching band.)

    “However, the fireworks were very different and awesome. Thank you! The music was great, too! Well done!”

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