The 2017 Summer Fest opened with a ceremony in the Ford City Park Gazebo Friday evening, June 30, shortly after 6PM.
Braydon Eckman, 10, from Ford City enjoys the first funnel cake of Summer Fest 2017. He said his favorite part of the festival is the food.
As droplets of rain sprinkled to the ground during the musical presentation of the Festival Choir, local residents continued to arrive. They stood in line of the various food tents, for horse-drawn carriage rides, and to experience riding in the back seat of a Monster Truck.
Among various county row office elected officials, a local organization received a round of applause. The Ford City Eagles was honored on stage for their contribution to bring fireworks to the conclusion of Summer Fest on Monday night.
Armstrong County Judge James Panchik offered the opening address. He spoke of the days he and his family lived in Ford City. He called out the spirit of community that continues to emanate from every street and avenue.
The ceremony was followed by a concert by the Festival Choir. Later in the evening, Murphy’s Music Band from Leechburg presented big band tunes.
“Doreen” of Blackburn Horse & Carriage from Sarver drives the horse at the opening of Summer Fest with passengers Derek Kamis from Manor Township and his two children, 6-year-old Owen and 4-year-old Gabe.