FC Summer Fest Concludes 2016 Events With a Bang

Ford City Summer Fest concluded last night with fireworks amid the threat of bad weather.

The festivities kicked off Friday evening shortly after the 6PM as the church bells tolled, followed by the National Anthem sung by the Armstrong Festival Chorus in the park gazebo.

Co-Chair Karen Buccieri welcomed people to the festivities. She was joined in the park gazebo by many local elected officials, including the three county commissioners, Borough Council President Carol Fenyes, two of the county judges and other county row offices.

Commissioner George Skamai said he and his family always make Ford City their place to be during the Fourth of July.

“We come every year, and we always come as a family – especially for the fireworks. It ‘s been a tradition since before my youngest child was born and he’s 16, so that gives you an idea of how long we’ve been doing it,” Skamai said. “The only fireworks we seek out, to be honest.”

Skamai’s father, also named George, worked at PPG in Ford City for 25 years and his uncle, Frank Samosky, worked at Eljer.

“The people are very friendly here, welcoming. You just feel like it’s so easy to fit in,” Skamai said.

The three commissioners and County Treasurer Amanda Slagle-Hiles were dunked during Sunday’s dunking booth at 3PM.

Ford City native Judge Joe Nickleach – who has been part of opening ceremonies since he was first elected in 1987 – said SummerFest is about enjoying time with old friends while enjoying the summer weather in the park.

Nickleach also commended a group of military personnel in Afghanistan that ran Saturday’s 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Armstrong River Hawks football boosters while overseas.

“It’s a great thing that our military men are participating in this, and I hope that we can return the favor by thanking them and doing what we can here at home to see that they come home safely,” Judge Nickleach said.

The Armstrong Festival Chorus – directed by Ada Jean Hoffman – sang a mixture of patriotic, religious and folk songs for the next hour, beginning with “This is a Celebration” before the four-day celebration was turned over to big bands, acoustic guitarists and other local groups.

Saturday’s lineup included a 90-minute parade that had its largest attendance of the past several years.

The next big event scheduled in Ford City will be over Labor Day weekend and sponsored by the Ford City Renaissance Partnership.