Dunbar prepares for 10th annual community fest
DUNBAR — Music from an antique Wurlitzer band organ will fill the air Saturday afternoon as the borough reflects on “Honoring the Past” during the 10th annual Dunbar Community Fest.
“We are geared up and anxious for the day to be here and have a good time,” said Cindy Moag, community fest member, who helped organize the event.
The “Hurdy Gurdy” organ, owned by Jeff Bryner, is a new attraction that is similar to a player piano made for indoor and outdoor show music.
Moag said it was refurbished by Hardy and plays caliape music similar to that heard on a merry-go-round.
According to Moag, last year’s festival drew more than 2,000 people. “We have some that come in and make it a homecoming,” Moag added.
Moag encouraged those attending to sign a large poster that will later be displayed in town.
The community fest opens Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. with bluegrass music under the big top performed by Perry Russell and the Dunbar Boys along with other local musicians.
The fest officially kicks off Saturday with the Pechin 5K run/walk with participants encouraged to wear red dresses to help raise awareness for heart disease.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the run and walk starting at 9 a.m. at the veterans memorial and ending on the Sheepskin Bike Trail.
Those who pre-register for a $17 fee will receive a T-shirt. The cost to register the day of the race is $20, however, T-shirts will be limited.
A bicycle poker run will also take place along the trail from 9 to 10 a.m. and a volleyball tournament will be featured from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Little League field.
Moag said organizers are still looking for participants for the parade scheduled from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
There will be a zumba fitness class from 11 a.m. to noon with Steve Haberman, a magician from Cranberry, performing from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
A Little Miss and Colonel Dunbar pageant is scheduled for noon to 12:30 p.m. and is open to children in kindergarten through third grade at a cost of $10 per child to register.
The Dunbar Historical Society will be open to view numerous albums and display a memorial plaque dedicated to the 1890 Hill Farm mine explosion.
Moag said a 2011 fest mug, featuring the Lazy Hour Ranch, will be sold as the final of 10 in a series.
Other highlights include a car, truck and bike show from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Dunbar Volunteer Fire Co., featuring Uniontown disc jockey Arnie Amber.
There is a $10 entry fee per vehicle that includes a dash plaque with trophies and prizes awarded.