Sep 25, 2008 3 min read

The supplies will be used Saturday by local youngsters to decorate their bicycles as part of the “Celebration Saturday” event to mark the completion of the Great Allegheny Passage. The trail now becomes the longest hiking and biking trail in the eastern U.S. The 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage connects with the 185-mile C&O Canal Towpath at Cumberland, Md., to create a 335-mile path between Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.

“Celebration Saturday” events will take place in six towns along the trail, including Connellsville, Ohiopyle, Meyersdale, West Newton, Rockwood and Confluence from noon to 4 p.m.

In Connellsville, the festivities will include a bike-decorating contest for local school children.

Participants will bring their undecorated bicycle to the Yough Park pavilion where former Connellsville Area School District art teacher Gay Thompson will assist with the preparation of bike decorations.

Each child will be provided materials to decorate his or her bicycle or tricycle.

Afterwards, the bicyclists will lead the parade from Yough Park to the southern trail gateway where a piece of artwork has been installed to greet visitors entering the city. Afterwards, the parade will return via the trail to Yough Park where a second piece of artwork will be unveiled.

“This is an opportunity to introduce the trail to youngsters that might not be familiar with it,” said Connellsville Public Art Committee chairman Michael Edwards.

“With the completion of the trail, there are endless opportunities for families to see the region’s beauty up close and personal.”

Prizes will be awarded for the most uniquely decorated bicycles. Judges will be artists Meeghan Triggs, Chris Galiyas and Steven Fiscus.

Triggs and Galiyas designed and completed murals on silos adjacent to the Youghiogheny Glass plant adjacent to the trail, while Fiscus constructed an archway at Yough Park.

Through the Progress Fund/Trail Town Public Art Program, Pittsburgh 250 Community Connections and The Sprout Fund, the six trail towns received funding for the artwork.

The Connellsville Redevelopment Authority also received a $5,000 grant from the Pittsburgh Grassroots Community Connections to expand the project.

Children taking part in the bike-decorating contest are asked to be at the Yough Park pavilion by noon. There is no charge to participate.

Other events include children’s activities, bicycle and tricycle giveaway, and musical entertainment. Food will be provided by area restaurants including Bud Murphy’s Sports Bar and Restaurant, Domino’s Pizza, El Canelo Mexican Restaurant and Pizza King.

The Party Discount Store has also contributed to the festivities.