Summer events scheduled in Greene
With the recent Memorial Day weekend unofficially kicking off the summer season, the Messenger thought it would be an appropriate time to present information about the many fairs, festivals and other fun events that are being offered in Greene County over the next few months.
?The following events for the summer months have been announced by the Greene County Tourist Promotion Agency. For more information about these events, call the agency at 724-627-TOUR or visit their Web site, www.greenecountytourism.org.
JUNE
June 10-12: The Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship will be held at the High Point Raceway in Mt. Morris. This year’s High Point will mark Round 3 of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Friday Night Fun Fest kicks off the weekend from 4 to 7?p.m. with open Pro Pits. The pro racing will be held on Saturday, and on Sunday, the track will host a day of amateur racing.
For more information, visit www.racerproductions.com.
June 12: The 2011 Greene County Historical Society Garden Party promises to be an afternoon bouquet of charming flowers from Douglass Greenhouse, gardening demonstrations, music, food, raffles and a special segment on the history of quilting with Carolyn Patterson. This engagement starts at 2?p.m. on Sunday, June 12 at the Historical Society, located at 918 Rolling Meadows Road, Waynesburg. Tickets are $10 in advance and this event is by reservation only. For more info, call the Greene County Historical Society at 724-627-3204, or visit www.greenecountyhistory.com.
June 19: Flashlight Drags at the Greene County Airport. The gate opens at noon, and racing will be held from 2 to 6?p.m. Admission is $25 to race and $5 to watch. Flashlight Drags offers a safe alternative to street racing. The concept is a throwback to the early days of drag racing, where two cars line up for a race and someone blazes a flashlight to signal the start. The format is simple: 1/8-mile race, heads-up format, no brackets and no classes – just for fun. That means racers can race against anyone they want, as often as they want. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, just get back in line and do it again. Some racers have made as many as 20 runs during one event. Whether you’re a racer or a spectator, it’s a family event. For more info, call the Department of Recreation at 724-852-5323.
June 19: Paddle on the Mon in Greensboro. Bring your family, Girl or Boy Scout troop or other group for an afternoon of canoeing and kayaking. The trip is suited for all levels of paddling from beginner to advanced and is perfect for families of all ages. It is an easy paddle on flat water with minimal motor boat traffic. Hands-on training will be provided prior to and throughout the trip. Only a limited number of canoes and lifejackets are available, and everyone must pre-register. Guests may bring their own canoes or kayaks, along with lifejackets and oars. All participants must wear a lifejacket. Refreshments will be provided. The cost to participate is $5 per person. Event hours are 1 to 4?p.m. Meet at the PFBC new boat launch site, across from the Ice Plant Restaurant in Glassworks. From there, you will paddle about three miles upstream on the Mon River to Old Lock 7, pausing to look at various river access opportunities in Greensboro. Then you will head across the river by Friendship Hill National Historic Site and go downstream on the Mon and paddle up George’s Creek. From there, you will paddle back to the starting point. For more info, call Ralph at 724-943-3210, or visit www.natgreene.org.
June 23-26: Black Diamond Cluster Dog Show at the Greene County Fairgrounds. To honor the dogs of the area’s coal mine history, Mountaineer Kennel Club and South Hills Kennel Club adopted the Black Diamond Cluster name and have dedicated dog shows to the faithful and dependable dogs that enrich our lives today. June 23 and 25 will feature the South Hills Kennel Club, and June 24 and 26 will feature the Mountaineer Kennel Club. The show will feature obedience and rally. Several vendors will be on site with various dog supplies, including dog beds, treats and grooming tools. Also, visit several food vendors for lunch. Event hours are 9?a.m. to 2?p.m. each day. Come and see hundreds of the best-bred dogs in the area as they compete for “best in show.” For more info, call William Guappone at 724-366-1645, or e-mail wpguappone@atlanticbb.net.
June 25: The sixth annual Purple Martin Festival at the Mason-Dixon Park in Mt. Morris. The purple martin is the largest of the North American swallows. For the past 100 years in eastern North America, it has nested almost exclusively in nest boxes. Mason-Dixon Park features two purple martin houses and one gourd rack. The houses and gourd rack will be lowered to change the nesting materials in order to prevent parasites. Visitors to the festival will be able to see baby martins in various stages of development. The baby martins will be banded in order to be able to track their migration. Event hours are 10?a.m. to 4?p.m. Admission is free, and there will be door prizes and food vendors.
For more info, call 304-879-5500 or 724-710-4898, e-mail keeperoftheland@aol.com or visit www.masondixonpark.net.
June 26: Bryan’s Dairy Reunion and Ice Cream Social at the Greene County Historical Museum. For more info, call the Historical Society at 724-627-3204, or visit www.greenecountyhistory.com.
June 26: Rev. John Corbly Association Reunion in Garards Fort. Learn about the tragic Indian massacre of Rev. John Corbly’s family at Garards Fort and his lifetime accomplishments that built a lasting local legacy. Local history enthusiasts are welcome. There will be a church service at 11?a.m. at Corbly Memorial Baptist Church in Garards Fort. A discussion about the tragic Corbly family Indian massacre of May 10, 1782, will be presented. Lunch will be provided in the church basement (donations are encouraged). The Association meeting will be discussed during dessert, and a walking tour will commence after lunch. Corbly Reunion CDs may be purchased for $20. Please RSVP. For more info, call Association President Lena Galing at 724-852-4084.
JULY
TBA: Quilt Show at the Greene County Historical Museum. This event celebrates Greene County’s quilting heritage and will feature a variety of quilts from different time periods. Some quilts will be available for purchase, and there will be raffles, various textile-related vendors, craftsmen, refreshments and more. For more info, call the Historical Society at 724-627-3204, or visit www.greenecountyhistory.com.
July 4: Fourth of July Celebration at the Greene County Fairgrounds. The Lions Club of Waynesburg will offer its annual Fourth of July activities, including a pancake breakfast, car show, fireworks and more. For more info, call 724-627-5284, or e-mail techapman@windstream.net.
July 5: Greene County Day at Kennywood Park. Plan to join your fellow Greene County residents for a fun-filled day at our hometown amusement park – Kennywood. For more info, call the Waynesburg Area Chamber of Commerce at 724-627-5926.
July 10: Flashlight Drags returns to the Greene County Airport. The gate opens at noon, and racing will be held from 2 to 6?p.m. Admission is $25 to race and $5 to watch. For more info, call the Department of Recreation at 724-852-5323.
July 16: The 15th annual Ice Plant Car Show in Greensboro. The show will be held at the Ice Plant pavilion. Registration begins at 10?a.m. This show, which has grown year after year, brings in some of the best hot rods and classic cars from all over the country. For more info, call Lisa Miller at 724-998-8242.
July 19-23: The 146th Annual Jacktown Fair in Wind Ridge. The country’s longest continuously running fair, the Jacktown Fair was first held in October of 1865. There will be various events that will appeal to young and old alike. Come and see prize produce and swap farming ideas. There will also be games, competitions, musical performances, food, a parade and more. For more info, call 724-627-8263, or visit www.jacktownfair.org.
July 29: The 137th Rain Day celebration, to be held in downtown Waynesburg. Come and enjoy this unique annual event, steeped in local lore. Join the residents in a day-long festival that celebrates a 137-year-old bet. For more info, call the Waynesburg Borough Special Events Commission at 724-627-8111, or visit www.raindayfestival.com.
AUGUST
Aug. 6 and 7: The 2011 Global Hapkido Conference at the American Judo-Hapkido Institute in Waynesburg. Join the Sinmoo Hapkido Legacy Group for its annual two-day seminar highlighting the techniques, philosophies and history of traditional Sinmoo Hapkido. Accommodations and special rates are available at the Waynesburg Comfort Inn. For more info, or to register, call 650-759-5425, e-mail smhkd@aol.com or visit www.sinmoolegacygroup.com.
Aug. 7-13: Greene County Agricultural Fair at the county fairgrounds. This week-long event features local farmers, 4-H members and others showing their livestock, crafts, baked goods, needlework, canned goods and homegrown produce in numerous competitions.
There are plenty of other events that will appeal to most everyone, including a rodeo, tractor pulls, demolition derbies, live music, rides, food and more. Ticket prices, gate times and a schedule of events will be available on the Greene County Fair Web site. For more info, call 724-627-9160, e-mail greenecountyfair@windstream.net or visit www.greenecountyfair.org.
Aug. 20-27: The 58th Annual Bituminous Coal Show in Carmichaels. This week-long celebration honors King Coal and our regional coal heritage. Numerous events and activities will be held.
For more info, visit www.kingcoalshow.org.
Aug. 27 and 28: The 29th annual Frontier Festival at the Mason-Dixon Park in Mt. Morris. Event hours are 10?a.m. to 6?p.m. Admission is free. There will be crafts, raffles, door prizes and live music all day.
While you’re there, visit a pre-1840 living history encampment or witness an 1860’s cowboy demonstration. There will also be Civil War re-enactments and a Greene County Ham Radio demonstration, in addition to an antique engine display. For more info, call 304-879-5500, e-mail keeperoftheland@aol.com or visit www.masondixonpark.net.
Aug. 27: The third annual Carmichaels VFW Car Show. Event hours are 10?a.m. to 3?p.m. at the Carmichaels VFW Post No. 3491. The cost to register is $10 per car. All cars are welcome. Proceeds benefit the Carmichaels VFW Building Fund. There will be numerous cars, vendors, food, music and a Chinese auction with items from a variety of businesses. Trophies will also be awarded. The first 25 entries will receive dash plaques. For more info, call the VFW at 724-966-5965 or Dave at 724-966-5874.
SEPTEMBER
TBA: Threshing Day at the Greene County Historical Museum. For more info, call the Greene County Historical Society at 724-627-3204, or visit www.greenecountyhistory.com.
Sept. 3 and 4: Art Blast on the Mon in Greensboro. This arts festival is sponsored by the Nathanael Greene Historical Foundation. Event hours are 10?a.m. to 5?p.m. For more info, call Mary Shine at 724-943-4462, or visit www.natgreene.org.
Sept. 3: The second annual Tractor Show at Michael’s Auto Sales in Carmichaels. The show begins at noon. For more info, call Kayla at 724-966-7871.
Sept. 4: The annual Trail Ride at Save A Horse Riding Stable in Rogersville. The ride begins at 10?a.m. Please bring your own horse. For more info, call Darlene Moore at 724-499-5709.
Sept. 10: The 10th annual 50’s Fest and Car Cruise in downtown Waynesburg. Come and check out over 300 hot rods, trucks and motorcycles. Step back in time while you enjoy 50’s food, music, activities and competitions. Hours are 10?a.m. to 4?p.m. For more info, call Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful at 724-627-8119, or visit www.waynesburgpa.org.
Sept. 10: Flashlight Drags returns to the Greene County Airport. The gate opens at noon, and racing will be held from 2 to 6?p.m. Admission is $25 to race and $5 to watch. For more info, call the Department of Recreation at 724-852-5323.
Sept. 17: Truck Pull Expo at the Greene County Fairgrounds. This event is sponsored by the Greene County Fair Board. For more info, call 724-627-9160.
Sept. 17: Heroes Run/Walk at the Greene River Trail. The event is held in memory of the late U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Steven Phillips and U.S. Army Spc. Gregory Cox. The run/walk begins promptly at 8:30?a.m. at the Greene Cove Yacht Club in Millsboro. An entry fee of $20 is required. Pre-register by Aug. 20 to receive a discount. Students can participate at no charge by collecting pledges totaling at least $20. For more info, call the Department of Recreation at 724-852-5323.
Sept. 17 and 18: The 41st annual Covered Bridge Festival, in Carmichaels and Garards Fort. Check out these picturesque covered bridges at two locations in Greene County – the White Covered Bridge in Garards Fort and the Carmichaels Covered Bridge in Carmichaels. Crafters, Civil War re-enactments, music and home cooking are just some of the attractions at these two festivals. For more info, contact Alan and Dorothy Vozel at 724-966-8993 (Carmichaels Bridge), or Cheryl Clark at 724-966-2357 (White Covered Bridge).