Parade, Food, & Music Brought Community to FC

Foam as thick as three feet in some places lined Fourth Avenue in Ford City at the conclusion of the Armstrong County Labor Day Weekend Parade. Steve Heffner, dressed in patriotic flag colors, dances in the street with the children. The foam was part of the float by Club Radioactive in Kittanning.

No one quite knows how long it has been since a Labor Day parade was held in Ford City. However, if there is such a thing as a parade revival, it came into being last Sunday.

The parade was a part of a weekend holiday celebration through the collaboration of several groups including the Ford City Area Renaissance Partnership, Ford City Fire Department, and several antique car clubs as well as individuals.

People came with lawn chairs, blankets, and some even just sat on the ground to listen to bands perform last weekend in Ford City.

Ford City Borough Council President Carol Fenyes enjoyed a mouth-watering funnel cake as she congratulated the efforts of volunteers.

“The firemen work so hard and the Renaissance Committee. They have worked so hard to put this on for the community. It’s a wonderful way for us to come together. The feeling of community - That is what I like the best! The people come out and they support it and it’s just a lot of fun.”

Two-and-a-half-year-old Bryson McGaughey from Sarver hugs Cosmo the Dragon at the Ford City Street Fair Saturday night.

Carla and Brian Densmore from Ford City chose from various food booths for themselves and their two-and-a-half-year-old grandson, Bryson. Carla couldn’t say enough positive things about the event.

“I’m glad they do this. It’s wonderful for everybody around. Everybody enjoys it. I told them that it is wonderful for them to do this! It’s awesome! We got a couple burgers in sauce, French fries and chicken fingers for (grandson Bryson), and he is ready to go! There is a lot of stuff for everyone to do. It’s wonderful that they do this for the town!”

In addition to food booths, the sounds from regional bands that included 13 Stories and Street Level filled the streets. Multiple stage performances for children included the Wide World of Animals, the Magic Mike Magician Show, a bird show, a reptile show, and Knightrider.

Colorful booths offered just about every type of popular street fair food to the delight of the crowd.

Ford City Native David Highfield, who is well known for his journalism and news reporting on KDKA TV, was chosen as the Parade Marshal. Highfield was elated to be chosen.

“To be a part of this kind of event, I was really touched to thought that they would ask me… to see all the familiar faces… it’s absolutely wonderful. I graduated from Ford City High School in 1990. Then I went off to college, and then lived in Pittsburgh after college. But my parents still live in Brick Church and I come home and visit them almost every week, so I get up this way.”

The train took children on a magical ride through the streets of Ford City Saturday evening.

The parade lasted nearly two hours. It was broadcast live on WTYM AM 1380 radio with David Croyle and Steve Heffner as hosts.

In addition to participation by many fire departments including units from as far away as Plumville, various local groups created incredible floating displays. The parade culminated with Club Radioactive filling Fourth Avenue with foam. The float carried 300 gallons of water and created a mound of foam over three feet high giving children the opportunity for creative playtime on the street.

Ford City Renaissance Partnership Co-Chairman Paul Klukan said the hard work preparing for the weekend event was well worth it.

“There was four of us on my committee, plus the firemen. But I was here Thursday morning bright and early putting all the wiring up, making sure everything went until 12 o’clock at night.”

With the Labor Day festivities finished, Klukan and his team will now focus on preparations for the Christmas holiday lights event this November.

categories Local News | September 6, 2016

1 Comment

  • By Just sayin, September 6, 2016 @ 8:50 PM

    Pleasantly surprised how good the parade was. It was much appreciated.
    Except…WHERE was the ARMSTRONG High School marching band? Will they ever come to Ford City to march and not just to Kittanning?
    Ford City is part of the new school, too.
    United we stand-be fair so that we can truly be unified.
    Take turns on holiday parades, etc. Kittanning is no better than Ford City. We are ONE, now.

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