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Scottdale Fall Festival starts Friday

By Jackie Beranek 4 min read

SCOTTDALE – The 31st annual Scottdale Fall Festival will have a Broadway flavor when it kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday with opening ceremonies, according to Rick Thomas, event moderator. “Our theme is ‘Off Broadway,'” said Thomas. “In keeping with the theme we have named several Southmoreland Area School District teachers from the art and music department as grand marshals.”

Thomas said most of the weekend festivities are planned around the Scottdale Gazebo and in the downtown business district.

He also said that last year’s festival planners saw record crowds.

“We had thousands of people pass through here last year,” said Thomas “and we are hoping to see thousands more this year.”

Only a few sprinkles of rain fell last year on the opening night but Thomas said he has already checked the weather report for the weekend and blue skies are forecasted for all three days.

Thomas said the annual festival is like a “homecoming” for area residents. He additionally said that he has met a number of people who didn’t grow up in Scottdale, but always liked the town so much that they plan their September events around the festival.

Several new events are planned for this year including a teen dance on Pittsburgh Street from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Thomas, who will also serve as master of ceremonies on Friday, said teenagers seem to have gotten lost in the shuffle over the years.

“That’s why we wanted to plan some things that they might like,” said Thomas. “In addition to the dance, we will have a Tuner Custom Car Show on Friday night.”

Melanie Kozar, festival marketing and advertising chairwoman, said Chris Boyd of Boyd Productions of Pittsburgh would set the mood for the dance by playing tunes that are happening.

She also said that there is a $5 fee for anyone who wants to enter the Tuner Custom Car Show.

Kozar said some new vendors would be at this year’s festival in addition to many favorite returning vendors such as wood and floral items and potpourri.

Specialty foods will include chicken on sticks, egg rolls, sausage and steak sandwiches, cabbage and noodles, pierogies, curly fries, fried veggies, pizza, Belgium waffles, deep fried Oreos, ice cream and shakes, roast beef BBQ, baked goods, Shoofly pie, hamburgers and hot dogs, Gyros and apple dumplings, just to name a few.

The annual 5K/10K run and walk will be held Saturday, shortly after the annual parade that begins at noon. Children’s activities will include the Rainbow Express Train (trackless train), a petting zoo, games, inflatables, confetti eggs, a puppet show, face painting, balloons and a new craft area for the kids.

The schedule is as follows:

– Friday: Opening ceremonies at 6 p.m., a salute to U.S. armed forces with Walter Straum; music by Mercedez beginning at 7 p.m.; and music by Kardaz at 9:30 p.m.

Bob Nickerson as Sr. Dribble will be walking around from 6 to 7 p.m. and will present a formal show from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The first annual Tuner Car Show will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on Pittsburgh Street. A trophy will be awarded for “Best in Show” and also an honorable mention will be awarded. For more information, call P.J. Spires at 724-570-9536 or Kozar at 724-433-4845.

– Saturday: The annual parade begins at noon; the race is from 2 to 4 p.m.; music by Chizmo Charles from 1:15 until 3 p.m.; the musical group Switch from 4 to 5:30 p.m.; Rip Van Zilla from 5:30 to 6:30; Crazy Cowboy from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Rip Van Zilla from 8 to 9 p.m.; and Pure Gold from 9 to 11 p.m.

– Sunday: Music by Unbridled from 1 to 2:30 p.m.; the second annual dog show from 2 to 4 p.m.; pet parade for all registered dogs at 1:45 p.m.; Harold Betters from 3:30 to 5 p.m.; the Highlander Choir from 5 to 6 p.m.; and Billy Price from 6 to 8 p.m. Sign-ups for the dog show will be held from noon until 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. There are six categories including pet/owner look alike, biggest paw, best trick, shortest dog (in height), best dressed and cutest face.

Registration for the race will begin at 11 a.m. and run until 2:25 p.m., the day of the race at the festival stage. The top three overall male and female contestants will receive cash awards. Entry fee is $15 before Sept. 17 and $18 the day of the race.

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