Masontown celebrates July 4
MASONTOWN – Under an overcast sky, children lined up to play games and buy goodies from booths set up the German Masontown Park Wednesday. Others were excitedly watching “Jelly Bean” the clown making balloon animals and flowers, while others participated in the Little Knights All Star Baseball game, and red, white and blue balloons could be seen all around.
This was the scene at the annual Masontown July 4 Celebration, where all day, visitors could hear music played by DJ Dusty Joe, participate in volleyball or tennis on a newly refurbished court, or wait until later in the day to hear live entertainment
According to Kris Kelly, chairwoman of the committee for the event, visitors could do all of this free of charge.
“The nice thing about our celebration is that it is free admission and free entertainment,” said Kelly. “People could spend the day here and not spend a dime if they don’t want to.”
In addition to entertainment, the event offered several competitions, including the Masontown Rotary Club’s race for children under 12 years of age. The winners this year were Zachary Mayer and Katie Armstrong.
Other competitions were the bocce tournament and the basketball free throw contest. Kelly said the person who made the most shots would win $50. There was also a children’s coloring contest, which offered the winner $25, and a bicycle decorating contest. Children were asked to decorate their bikes in patriotic fashion, and Kelly said parents were allowed to help. The winner of the contest would receive $50.
Since it was July 4, Kelly said that the event would include something that everyone considers an all American treat – apple pie.
The winner of the baked apple pie contest, judged at 5 p.m. would receive $50.
“We debated over changing to cherry pie or something else, but decided since it was the July 4, it had to be apple,” said Kelly.
While Kelly said she was “holding her breath” because the forecast called for rain, it had not seemed to deter the crowd from coming so far.
Later in the afternoon, visitors could watch the “Free Spirit” gospel singer, whim Kelly said performed last year and put on a “nice program.”
“People asked for them to come back,” said Kelly.
Master magician Chuck Caputo would also perform, and Kelly said that he has been a professional magician for 20 years, and traveled around the tri-state area. She said that during one performance, Caputo had gotten former Pittsburgh Steeler Franco Harris on stage and made hi head disappear.
There were also musical performances during the evening by the Vibrations and the American Band. The Vibrations play a mix of pop and polka, and the American Band plays classic rock and roll music. Kelly said the American Band would conclude their performance with a rendition of “God Bless the USA” during the fireworks display.
“People love that,” she said, adding that the fireworks were going to be great this year.
“We have a half-hour display and the sky is filled with fireworks,” said Kelly.
She commented that it was the community’s business owners who “stepped up to the plate,” and made the event possible.
“That’s why we can offer all of this free entertainment,” said Kelly. “It really shows you the kind of community we have.”