The heat did not stop the Ford City Summer Fest parade from being a huge hit as thousands of people of all ages was in attendance to see the many fire trucks and floats. Kids waited eagerly with bags as oncoming units through candy into the crowd.
by KP Intern Kyle Predmore
It was nearly 100 degrees in Ford City, but that didn’t stop the opening of Ford City Summer Fest Saturday morning and its parade Saturday night from being a success.
The parade itself included apparatus from various local fire department and a number of different groups.
Russ Thornton from Plum sits in the outhouse next to Bob Kording with Sarver resident Ken Harvey trailing close as the hillbilly theme intrigues many of the parade attendees.
One of the groups were members of the Syria Shriners and had a hillbilly theme.
“We are the 3 Rivers Hillbilly Clan #53,” Apollo Resident Bob Kording said. “I’ve been part of this entire group for 20 years. I love the friendship, comradely, getting together, having a good time but most importantly raising money to help kids.”
“This is our 5th year doing the festival”, Summer Fest Co-Chairmen Karen Buccieri said. “Where the other group (Heritage Days) left off, we picked up the slack to keep it going.”
Ford City Residents Eric and Cassie Klimkowicz rode down the parade route in a Surry Bike representing the Ford City Divine Redeemer School in Ford City, in addition to their daughter Nettie and her friend Lila Gutherie.
The Divine Redeemer School in Ford City made an appearance in the parade.
“It’s a great educational Pre-School through 6th grade Catholic education that is open to anyone that wants to experience a really family oriented school for their children,” Lori Gutherie said. “My kids went there and I go there.”
The parade itself ended at Ford City Memorial Park where many different local organizations, like Ford City Area Youth Football, were there raising money.
Parent and booth operator Jill Wranich (in pink) along with other youth football and cheerleading parents sell their famous roast beef sandwiches trying to raise money for the Ford City Area Youth Football team.
“This is our 30-year anniversary,” Jill Wranich said. “This is the only festival we will be doing. We are trying to raise the money to get the football team uniforms and equipment needed to play football.”
“It used to be called the Ford City Area Heritage Days and they’ve done it for over 30 years,” Co-Chariman Denise Lasher said.
“This is what I grew up with,” Lasher added. “I have lived here all my life. When Heritage Days disbanded, I didn’t want to see it end because this was always important to me. You come over here and it’s like a reunion. You see people you haven’t seen in a long time.”
The smells of delicious food filled the air before and after the parade, with every different type of food and snack imaginable.
“I love the whole atmosphere,” Lasher said. “I love the music, but I don’t come here for just one thing. I come for everything. This whole town is just so nice, too. People are friendly and speak to you that you don’t even know. I love these little town festivals.”
The Radioactive Event Center from Kittanning closed off the parade by providing music and a foam party in the street where kids and adults had a blast playing in the foam to cool down after a hot day.
“There is so much to enjoy,” Festival attendee and Ford City resident Caroline Hassa said. “The friendliness, people know one another, and they’re helpful. It’s a real community spirit. Everyone is willing to help and get together especially for events like this festival. You have Summer Fest and then the fireworks (at the end); It’s a big deal here. it’s really nice.”
The 2018 Ford City Summer Fest will continue to run through Tuesday with events throughout the day between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. It will conclude with a gigantic fireworks display at 10PM tomorrow night.