Parade leads Connellsville’s bicentennial
CONNELLSVILLE – It was a celebration befitting a 200th birthday, complete with blue skies, music, food, reunions with old friends and the coming together of a community to remember the past and plan for the future. “This is exactly how I hoped it would be,” said Ben Haines, Connellsville Bicentennial Committee president. “We had a few glitches here and there, but we expected them.”
The Saturday bicentennial celebration kicked off with parade grand marshal Wally Schroyer, a World War II veteran and prisoner of war and a Connellsville School District football standout before joining the military, and Bill Balsley, the city’s historian, receiving rousing applause from the thousands that lined the parade route.
“What a wonderful day,” said Schroyer as he made his way to the reviewing stand to sit with guests of the bicentennial committee, retired Maj. Gen. Walter F. Pudlowski Jr., former acting director of the Army National Guard and Commanding General of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 28th Division, and former Pittsburgh Steelers and Republican gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann.
Swann refrained from campaigning during his stay, stating his visit was more to celebrate the city’s bicentennial.
“You can’t celebrate 200 years without having a good team, and Connellsville apparently has had the right team,” he said. “You have people who were born here in Connellsville and different parts of Pennsylvania and around the world that have come here over this 200 years and have made Connellsville a vibrant community in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
Connellsville Area High School football players Jeremy Gray, Chris Williams and Benji Sledge greeted Swann as he walked through the crowds, stopping and taking pictures with those old enough to remember his days with the Steelers and those just wanting to stand next to the superstar.
“This is so cool,” said Gray.
Also taking part in the parade was Gov. Ed Rendell, accompanied by Pudlowski. Other officials included state Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-Dunbar) and state Rep. James Shaner (D-Dunbar), Fayette County commissioners Angela M. Zimmerlink, Joseph A. Hardy III and Vincent A. Vicites.
Vicites said that the crowds exceeded his expectations.
“I’ve been to a lot of parades, but have never been to one that had so many people standing along the streets,” he said. “Connellsville should be very proud.”
Centenarian Harold DeBolt, who attended the 1906 celebration as an infant and then in 1956 for the 150th anniversary, drew applause as parade chairwoman Judy Keller told of his family ties to the city.
His father, she said, was the city’s first fire chief and DeBolt at one time was an active member of the community.
“We are very blessed to have him here,” said Keller.
The sesquicentennial queen, Judy Swan Nardone, and 1956 Miss Connellsville, Virginia Miller Habina, along with several members of their court joined with numerous fire companies, veterans organizations and the Molinaro Band on the parade route.
“I’m having more fun than I did 50 years ago,” said Nardone, as she stood with Priscilla Penn, the 2006 queen.
Penn’s court included Chelsea Garlick, Carrisa Basinger and Bobbiesue Harshman.
The former Crawford School Corallettes, a 1970s drill team, reunited for the bicentennial, along with the 1978 Geibel High School basketball state champions.
Approximately 150 units took part in the parade.
Connellsville’s own jazz trombonist Harold Betters and his quartet kicked off the street festival. Other musical entertainers included The Journeymen, The Brass Knuckles Band and jazz bands from Connellsville Area Junior High East and Junior High West.
The afternoon festivities also included the unveiling of a Victorian-style clock at the Veterans Plaza, donated to the city by the Connellsville Rotary Club. The nearly 16-foot, four-sided and illuminated timepiece stands, said Gretchen Mundorff, club member, on land once owned by city-founder Zachariah Connell.
“Our ancestors would be very proud of us today,” said Mundorff. “Today truly is a celebration of who we are as a town.
“Today is a day to reflect. Today is a day to celebrate our rich history. Today is a day to share our collective memories of those that have gone before us and of those that have worked so diligently to make it a place called home.”
As the city was celebrating its 200-year history, Karen Hechler, president of the Connellsville Historical Society, was looking toward the future.
“It is reminiscent of our past,” said Hechler, pointing to the crowded streets. “This has brought the community together and we need to build on this for our future.
“There is hope. Things are going to get better for Connellsville.”
With its historic background, ethnic richness and beautiful landmarks, Hechler said the city has a bright future.
“Our churches are beautiful, our people our wonderful,” she said. “We have all the right ingredients for Connellsville to boom again, not as it did in the past, but something new is on the horizon.”