Parade draws thousands
Five-year-old Steven Angel Jr. sat patiently waiting Saturday for the first parade unit of the kickoff event for this year’s PGA 84 Lumber Classic Golf Tournament to appear along East Main Street in Uniontown. “I like the candy,” he said, adding that fire trucks and police cars ranked second and third on his list of favorites. “I like the quads, too.”
The Smithfield youngster and the thousands of others that lined the parade route were not disappointed if they came to see or hear marching bands, floats, veterans and motorcycles.
For more than an hour, parade-goers were treated to a variety of classic cars, trucks and fire equipment along with rousing marches and decorated flatbed trucks carrying children’s groups.
“It’s a great, great day,” said Joe Hardy, golf tournament host as he and daughter Maggie Hardy Magerko, president of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa, stopped at Marshall Plaza to lay a red, white and blue wreath in honor of all veterans and a fall-colored wreath in memory of those that lost their lives during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on U.S. soil and the victims of Hurricane Katrina while bagpiper David Smith played “Amazing Grace.’
Charmaine Sampson, administrative assistant to Hardy and coordinator of the event, credited Magerko with the initial plan to hold the parade that would precede the PGA tournament being held this week at the resort’s Mystic Rock Golf Course.
“Maggie (Hardy Magerko) wanted a parade because none of the other PGA venues had a parade,” said Sampson. “This is the first and it turned out great.”
Sampson speculated that the event might become an annual part of the tournament festivities.
“We’ll have to take a look at everything, but I think it was very successful and something we might want to do next year,” she said.
Uniontown Police Department Chief Kyle Sneddon estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people turned out for the parade, but, despite the large numbers, there were few problems.
One person was apprehended by police on an outstanding felony warrant while officers also had to respond to a minor traffic accident during the parade, said Sneddon.
Officers also received complaints from several business owners that the 7 a.m. closure of downtown city streets to vehicular traffic disrupted their early Saturday sales.
“We only did what we were asked to do,” said Sneddon.
Barricades were erected along each entrance to the city with police officers from the local department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Uniontown Police Reserve Unit, Fayette County Search and Rescue, Uniontown Fire Police, Uniontown Area School District police, Wharton Township police, Connellsville Police Auxiliary, along with state police from the Uniontown Barracks, rerouting traffic from the site of the parade.
“All in all, I think it went pretty well,” said Sneddon.
Jack and Evelyn Suder of Hopwood made their way into the city in plenty of time to get a front-row seat along the parade route.
“We wouldn’t miss it,” said Jack Suder.
The couple credited Hardy with giving Uniontown a much-needed facelift and the county residents a reason to visit and take-part in downtown activities.
“He’s been very generous in giving millions of dollars to make things happen here,” said Evelyn Suder as she pointed to ongoing construction projects, and renovated buildings. “It is a much better place.”
After the parade, scores of people made their way to the Farmer’s Market, where a variety of vendors and craftsmen sold vegetables, popcorn, beverages and other items and children enjoyed cavorting in the Moon Walk and trying their hand at using a golf club.
The schedule of events for the PGA 84 Lumber Classic include:
– Monday – 8 a.m., gates open to all ticket holders; 10 a.m., Mystic Pro-Am; 2 p.m., professional practice rounds.
– Tuesday – 8 a.m., gates open to all ticket holders; professional practice rounds.
– Wednesday – 7 a.m., gates open to all ticket holders; 7:20 a.m., Classic Pro-Am (morning flight); Noon, Classic Pro-Am (afternoon flight).
– Thursday – 7 a.m., gates open to all ticket holders; 7:20 a.m., first round play begins; all day, KDKA Radio Fall Festival.
– Friday – 7 a.m., gates open to all ticket holders; 7:20 a.m., second round play begins; 6 p.m., PovertyNeck Hillbillies and Doobie Brothers concert; all day, KDKA Radio Fall Festival.
– Saturday – 8 a.m., gates open to all ticket holders; 8:30 a.m., third round play begins; 6 p.m., Lee Ann Womack and Crazy Cowboy Band concert; all day, KDKA Radio Fall Festival.
– Sunday – 8 a.m., gates open to all ticket holders; 8:30 a.m., final round play begins; 5 p.m., awards ceremony; all day, KDKA Radio Fall Festival.