Theme is ‘Old Home Week’
Dunbar readies for Community Fest DUNBAR – Sounds of bluegrass will fill the borough Friday evening from the tent on Connellsville Street as it sets the theme of “Old Home Week” for the borough’s ninth annual Community Fest.
“We started the bluegrass last year and it really caught on,” said Cindy Moag, community fest chairwoman.
On early Saturday, the Sheepskin Bike Trail will be ablaze from participants in the Pechin Red Dress 5K run/walk as the event officially kicks off a host of entertainment, food and activities geared for the entire family.
Moag said the red dresses are being worn for fun to help raise awareness for heart disease, with the run/walk scheduled to take place from 8 to 10 a.m. along the traditional course that runs along the Sheepskin Trail.
Trophies and door prizes will be awarded following the race with registration starting at 7 a.m. at the fire hall.
According to Moag, the one-day celebration has drawn more than 1,000 people in previous years with some making it a homecoming since it is held each year on the last weekend of September.
Moag said a list of popular events from past and present are being listed on brochures and posters available at the event.
The Dunbar Historical Society is expanding on the festival’s theme as it commemorates its 15th anniversary with mugs featuring a black and white photo of a street scene from 1915 along Connellsville Street.
The mugs are currently on display at the historical society and will be sold at the event for $10.
In conjunction with the anniversary the historical society will conduct a program from 2 to 3 p.m. entitled “How Well Do You Know Historic Dunbar?”
Moag said the historical society’s April completion of a replica coke oven is expected to attract even more people from outside the area.
As new additions, Moag said a Zumba fitness class is being offered from 11 a.m. to noon for a $5 fee, while Magician Doc Dixson will entertain all ages from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. sponsored by First Niagara Bank.
Two speeder cars are also making their way to the festival with passengers to pay a $1 fare per ride.
Moag said the motorized vehicles, owned by CSE of Scottdale, will hold up to eight people as they travel along the railroad tracks from the center of town to the railroad crossing at Church Hill.
A separate car will also be on display.
The Fayette Central Railroad will conduct train rides from noon to 5 p.m., which Moag said has become a major attraction to the festival.
Other events include a bicycle poker run from 9 to 10 a.m.; volleyball from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a parade from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. with businesses from outside the borough encouraged to participate.
Children can put on their best attire and compete in the Little Miss/Colonel Dunbar contest from noon to 12:30 p.m. open to residents in kindergarten through third grade.
A car show will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. with a pet contest from 3 to 4 p.m. as the duck derby immediately follows.
The festival will wrap up with music by High Riders Band from 4:30 to 8 p.m. with a skit performed at 6 p.m. by volunteers of the Dunbar Actors during intermission.
“It’s always a hit,” said Moag.
For more information on the community fest, call Moag at 724-628-6716.