Boats of all sizes enjoyed a mild, sunny weekend in front of the amphitheater at Kittanning Riverfront Park.
KITTANNING - They came from all over western Pennsylvania, navigating through the locks to get to Kittanning. There was everything from small motorboats to large houseboats. There was entertainment, food, and the gathering of family and friends on the Allegheny.
This was an important fundraising weekend for the Allegheny River Development Corporation - a small non-profit local group that has had a big effect on keeping the locks open between here and Pittsburgh.
“Told You So” was one of several bands performing this past weekend at the “Rockin’ for Lockin'” event.
ARDC President Linda Hemmes said the fundraising effort is no small task.
“ARDC needs to raise $93.50 an hour to operate (the locks) during the recreation boating season so this is a big fund-raiser that goes to that end. We moved it from Pittsburgh to Kittanning and I’m really happy.”
ARDC makes it possible for the locks to remain open for events such as Waves of Thunder, the Fort Armstrong Folk Festival, Arts on the Allegheny concert series, and Riverbration.
Hemmes said she hoped the weekend would be a financial boost toward the overall amount needed to operate this season.
“Our budget is $154,000 so it’s a lot of money to raise every year. So, I’m hoping to see $20,000 come out of this event.”
This weekend was one of the several fundraisers the group has scheduled this year.
“We do a Lock Kick-Off fundraiser in March down in towards Harmar. We’re going to do a big event with Angelo Mantini when he opens his new shop here in Kittanning and that will be in October and this (event).”
Donny Dulaney from Oakmont was overwhelmed by the area.
“This is the first time I came up on a boat to Kittanning. I think you’ve got a beautiful waterfront here. This is amazing here. In my opinion, I think this is the nicest place on the Allegheny River. This is nicer than the North Shore. I think it’s more user-friendly. You’ve got better access. You’ve got a beautiful view of the water. You’ve got facilities up here. It’s a beautiful place.”
Hemmes said Dulaney’s remarks were echoed by more than 80 boaters that came for the festival.
“It’s a quieter venue because there’s not as much traffic as there is in Pittsburgh so they’re not getting wakes and knocked around like they do in Pittsburgh,” Hemmes said. “So I think it’s been really a positive experience for the guys that are up here and there’s an awful lot of boats from Pittsburgh here.”
The event included quality entertainment such as “Told You So” from Indiana, PA and Tom Watt who is a Jimmy Buffet impersonator.
Hemmes said her Board of Directors are considering coming to Kittanning again next year.
” I’d love to come back here and I think most of the organizers would like to come back here. My Board is very happy. The people who work with us called “Boat Local, Boat Pittsburgh” - they’re really happy.”
Donations can be made to the organization online at www.alleghenyriverdevelopment.org or by sending a check to PO Box 364, Kittanning 16201.
Families and friends gathered together for a recreational weekend on the Allegheny River in front of the amphitheater at Kittanning Riverfront Park.
Must have been a nice event! Glad to read those positive comments about the area from those who attended.