Thousands gather every year to Ford City Park for the Summer Fest festival. It will be held June 30-July 3 this year. (KP 2014 File Photo)
FORD CITY - This year’s Summer Fest event in Ford City will offer many attractions - minus the fireworks and Polka Mass.
Co-Chairperson Karen Buccieri said lack of donations meant they had to cut the fireworks display.
“Our bigger contributors did not contribute this year. So, we were hoping for about a $4,000 miracle, but doesn’t look like it’s coming.”
The event will begin on Friday, June 30 at 6PM with opening ceremonies and run through Monday, July 3 from 11AM until 10PM.
Buccieri didn’t have an answer for the lack of interest by major contributors.
“All of our smaller contributors, local people have helped enormously. That’s why we can still do the festival, but we’re just coming up short. The only thing that would be expendable is the fireworks. So, we have to have the Port-o-Johns; we have to have the electricity. We’ve got  to pay people to string those lights. We’re going to have to do replacement lights and we have to some additions this year because we have  more vendors this year, more of everything. And, we really appreciate the people who did. I mean from our biggest contributors, which the CU Club is our biggest contributor in Ford City, right down to those people who just give us $5, which is great. If everybody would throw in $5, wouldn’t be a problem.”
A new attraction will be rides on a Monster truck. Buccieri said it won’t be popping wheelies with the general public in the back seat, but guarantees it will be fun.
“We’re just going to ride in the truck. But, ah, it looks like it will be fun. It’s a, it’s a BIG truck.”
Buccieri said the audience will still enjoy many of the events that take place during Summer Fest each year.
“We still have our carriage rides and our pony rides. And, we have a little choo-choo train that’s coming this year. The race on Saturday; the car cruise will be on Sunday. I mean everyday is just filled.”
The Polka Mass that has been well attended every year, will not be held. However, the Ukrainian Church will celebrate Mass in the Ford City Park beginning at 11:30 AM Sunday, followed by afternoon church tours.
Music will also be abundant this year, starting off with Leechburg’s “Murphy’s Music Center Big Band” on Friday night. Karaoke in the Park will be featured on Saturday followed by a parade at 6PM, and the “Jentz” performing after the parade. On Sunday afternoon, acoustic guitarist Jason “Mailman” Slee will perform, as well as the local group “HouseBand”. “Muddy Creek” takes the stage at 7PM. Monday’s bands start out with the Kittanning Community Band at 5:30, followed by the classic rock band “This, That and the Other Thing” doing 60’s & 70’s music.
Sunday will also feature a classic car cruise and the Radioactive Event Center will hold a Bubble Party on Monday at 2PM followed by a dunking booth with the Armstrong County commissioners.
Buccieri answered the question as to why Summer Fest wasn’t ending on July 4th as it has in other years. She said the festival is limited to four days.
” If we open up on Saturday, it misses the race. So, we thought, we’ll open Friday, but then the vendors don’t really like to be open for 5 days because it costs them money. Like if they come from a long way, they have to pay for lodging and everything. So, they just don’t like to take it for a whole 5 days. They only like 4. And, we figured well this way this year people can spend time at home with picnics and enjoy time with their families on the 4th…..we talked about it a lot.”
Buccieri has been the co-chairperson since Summer Fest started and said all the work by her committees and volunteers has been well worth it.
“We just love the Summer Fest thing. So many people come together, it’s a big gathering in the Park, it’s just wonderful.”
To donate, mail your contribution to: Ford City Summer Fest, Box 65, Ford City, PA 16226. To volunteer, call 724-525-6919.