Dawson to celebrate annual homecoming
DAWSON — This year’s Dawson Homecoming will honor a former charter member of the Tri-Town Historical Society, along with local veterans.
The homecoming officially kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday with an auction near the Cochran House on Main Street.
The event, slated for June 2 and 3, is being sponsored by the historical society.
A variety of entertainment, food and activities will be offered over the weekend, including the first June Newill Memorial Tri-Town Queen contest from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The contest is open to girls ages 3 to 18.
The queen contest includes three categories: ages 2 to 6; 7 to 12 and 13 to 18. The girls who sell the most tickets at $1 each will receive a crown.
Newill, who was a member of the historical society since its inception, died in January.
According to Debbie Pyda, homecoming spokeswoman, the auction offers a variety of gently used items and antiques either donated by local residents or businesses or found at yard sales.
“It’s always a big success,” said Pyda.
Pyda said the historical society and volunteers would spend June 1 setting up tables and tents along several streets near the Cochran House, which is centrally located around the events.
Festivities on June 2 will begin at 8 a.m., with registration for the Tri-Town Trot 10K run and 5K run and walk to take place across the Dawson bridge along the bike trail.
The cost is $12 to pre-register and $15 to register the morning of the race with awards going to first-, second- and third-place winners.
Special guest Taney Basinger, daughter of Cary and Rachel Basinger of Connellsville, will sing the national anthem prior to the parade, which will start at 1 p.m.
Basinger also has been selected to sing the national anthem at the Pittsburgh Pirates game July 2.
The High Ryder band will perform from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. June 2 on the Cochran House lawn, with disc jockey King Wolf providing karaoke from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Keystone Fireworks will wrap up the events on June 2.
The annual homecoming lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 3 on the lawn of the Cochran house. Cost is $7 a person and free for children under younger than 5.
The 15th annual car show will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. open to all vehicle types with no entry fee or registration required.
The winner of the Chinese basket auction will be drawn at 1:30 p.m.
Pyda said the community is also collecting pennies to help raise money to purchase a new veterans plaque and will have jars set up across from the monument for a coin toss.
The final round of festivities includes closing comments and a duck race at 2 p.m.
The cost of the ducks is $2 each, with prizes of $75, $50 and $25 awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners, respectively.
Pyda said all proceeds from the homecoming benefit the historical society.
For more information, call Patty Lint, historical society president, at 724-529-2368.