Brownsville celebration set in October
BROWNSVILLE – The South Brownsville Volunteer Fire Department challenges community and school groups to show their patriotism and community spirit through a float contest during the 2002 Octoberfest parade. The parade is scheduled for Oct. 12 at 2 p.m., and prizes and trophies will be offered to the top three floats.
“We really want some involvement on this,” said Ron Barry, chairman of the parade and festival.
Barry said participants must pay no entry fee, though they must fill out application forms, and the organizations entering floats must have insurance. The floats must follow the themes of patriotism, community spirit or school spirit.
“It must be tasteful. It can’t be offensive, or it will be disqualified,” Barry said.
Complete rules for the floats are available at the fire hall or by call Barry at 724-785-4566, Gary Herre at 724-785-8094 or Rick Barry at 724-785-7782.
The parade is just the start of a full weekend of activities at the fire hall.
“We have a lot of nice things planned. Last year’s Octoberfest was a huge success. Since we’re still at war, we decided to stay with the patriotic theme,” Barry said. “Right after the parade we have a patriotic town rally like we did last year.”
Local veterans will hold a flag-raising ceremony, followed by speeches from area politicians, including state representatives Bill DeWeese, Pete Daley and Tim Solobay, state Sen. Richard Kasunic, Fayette County commissioners Vince Vicites and Ron Nehls, Washington County Commissioner John Bevec, Brownsville Mayor Norma Ryan and members of the borough council.
“We started this as a way of making money for the fire company, but it’s also to foster pride in the South Side,” Barry said.
The Mon Valley Community Band, under the direction of Sammy Bill, will perform. Other Saturday events include a firefighters’ gear scramble, with time trials for putting on firefighting gear, a beer-chugging contest and a live broadcast by Froggy Radio from 5 to 8 p.m.
Special events on Sunday include a pumpkin-decorating contest for children 3 to 12 years old, sponsored by Duda’s Farm, a hotdog-eating contest and a barrel-rolling contest.
Barry said three-person teams are needed for the barrel-rolling contest, which involves rolling a full barrel down a 150-foot course then back to the starting point. A beer pitcher relay race will also be held.
“Both days there will be lots of good food, including grilled bratwurst and a bake sale,” Barry said.
Thompson House will operate a wing booth. Barry said booths are still available for rent by individuals and organizations for food, crafts or information, at a price of $25 a day.
Other attractions include a model train display, blacksmithing by Mike Avera, a raffle sponsored by the ladies auxiliary and a variety of games.
“For younger kids, we’ll have a ‘Bob the Builder’ game. There’s also a football toss, a cartoon wheel and a duck pond,” Barry said.
Barry said the festival will run from 2 p.m. until Saturday evening and from noon until around 6 p.m. Sunday.