Dunbar Community Fest set Saturday
DUNBAR – The first-ever Dunbar Community Fest will be held Saturday, beginning at 7 a.m. with registration for the 5K run/walk. Organization committee co-chairman Donna Myers said the one-day festival will offer something for everyone.
Myers and her husband, George, and co-organizing committee husband- and-wife team, John “Bud” and Bonnie Zurich, have worked hard over the past nine months preparing for the event.
They have raised more than $9,000 for the event, along with a 16-member committee. Myers said the committee wanted to give something back to their hometown and to instill “pride” in their grandchildren’s hearts.
“If the weather holds out, visitors should have a good time discovering Dunbar’s history, taking part in a giant flea market, visiting craft booths, watching the Little Miss Dunbar and Colonel Dunbar pageants and eating their way across town,” Myers said.
The festivities will kick off at 7 a.m. with registration for the Pechin 5K run/walk that will begin and end at the fire department building. Myers said the race/walk would be a challenge for participants because the town has so many hills.
She also said that more than 100 runners/walkers have already signed up for the event.
“The runners start at 8 a.m. and the walkers will begin at 8:05 a.m.,” said Myers. “The fee is $15 if they sign up the day of the race. Cindy Moag of Dunbar Township graciously agreed to head up the race committee.”
For more information on the race, Moag can be reached at 724-626-8882, Ext. 103.
Pat Trimbath is in charge of the car show, which will be held from noon until 5 p.m. on Railroad Street. Desirae Leonard is in charge of the Little Miss Dunbar and Colonel Dunbar pageant for children in kindergarten through third grade. The entrance fee for the contest is $5.
Myers said Carmella Hardy of Dunbar is in charge of the flea market and craft booths.
A fee of $10 will be charged per table for the flea market and food booths, which are mostly sponsored by Dunbar churches and civic organizations.
The food and flea market tables and booths will be centered in the downtown area along Connellsville Street.
Myers said additional food booths would be located in some of the churches and at the fire station. She also said that a bake sale would be held.
An added feature in the one-day event is the Rainbow Express owned and operated by William Hillbrecht of Belle Vernon. The Rainbow Express will provide mini-train rides for the youngsters.
Myers said Dunbar Borough teachers will hold a poster contest with the theme, “What I Love About Dunbar.” Prizes will be presented for the best poster.
Clowns will roam the streets, beginning at 1 p.m., and will provide face-painting and balloons for children.
Trickster Troy, better know as Troy Evans of Bullskin Township, will present a magic show from 2 to 3 p.m., and gospel music will be sponsored by members of Pechin Chapel.
Disc jockey “Just Havin’ Fun” will provide music starting at 4:15 p.m., and a humorous fashion show called Dunbar Style, is planned for 5:15 p.m.
Other daylong events will include a petting zoo, quilt show, safety demonstrations by police and emergency medical personnel, a book signing with several local authors, a slide show and a pictorial stamp cancellation station.
Myers said the committee has worked “very, very hard” to make the day a success.
“We simply want people to come out and have a good time,” said Myers.
“A lot of preparation work has gone into this day by many community members. We hope to see the townspeople’s team spirit on Saturday.”