May 28, 2007 By Rebekah Sungala 2 min read

POINT MARION – The 28th Albert Gallatin Regatta attracted hundreds of people from near and far who came to celebrate the annual festivity. “The regatta’s a homecoming of sorts,” said event chairman David Callahan. “It gives those who moved away a reason to come back and visit. Everyone looks forward to it and seems to be having a good time.”

Sunny skies and warm temperatures seemed to attract even more people than usual this year, according to Callahan.

“Every year the regatta gets bigger and better,” he said.

As young children played games of chance Sunday, adults chatted with each other and sampled food offered by various vendors.

On the far side of the Point Marion Community Park, teenagers played pick-up games of basketball, leaving the court every so often to go splash around in the river and cool off.

Callahan said the regatta, sponsored by the Point Marion Borough Rotary Club with help from other civic organizations, has something to offer everyone.

“We’re excited about everything going on,” he said.

Philip Rishel, event co-chairman, said the antique car show Sunday afternoon was popular, with 75 to 100 vehicles showing up.

As people inspected the antique cars, music from bands performing on the River Front Stage drifted across the park.

“Things are going on all over the place,” Rishel said. “It’s been a wonderful day. The weather’s been nice and we had a great turnout.”

Borough councilman Chris Kaczmarczyk said recent improvements at the park, made with help from Friends of the Park, have been attracting more people to the park on a daily basis.

The borough recently installed a boat dock and constructed a walking trail around the park.

“We’re trying to build the park up,” Kacmarczyk said.

Regatta festivities concluded Sunday night with a fireworks display.

“You’ll never see better fireworks than what you see in Point Marion,” Kaczmarczyk.