Mount Pleasant to sparkle during annual glass, ethnic festival this weekend
MOUNT PLEASANT – The Mount Pleasant Glass and Ethnic Festival will once again bring sparkling activities into the Westmoreland County borough today through Sunday. The festival received a special honor four years ago when it was inducted into the Library of Congress’ Local Legacies Project in celebration of America’s rich diverse culture.
For the first time this year, festival organizers are offering a poker tournament, hoping to capitalize on the card game’s popularity.
By offering big stakes, the festival’s Texas Hold’em poker tournament is hoping to entice players to participate in Saturday’s event.
In addition to food and live musical entertainment, the festival will feature glass-blowing demonstrations, rides, games, bingo and a car show.
Musical entertainment will include country western, rock ‘n’ roll, rhythm and blues, oldies groups and a tribute to Frank Sinatra.
The Povertyneck Hillbillies, a popular local country band, will perform at 9 p.m. today and 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
The schedule of events is as follows:
Today
Gazebo Stage
– 5 p.m., Hempfield Patriotic Starz, children’s singing group.
– 5:30 p.m., Little Princess Pageant.
– 9 p.m., Povertyneck Hillbillies.
Sony Stage
– 1 p.m., Wild World of Animals Show.
– 2:30 p.m., Triple Threat rock band.
– 6:30 p.m., Triple Creek with Courtney Zufall country band.
– 8:30 p.m., Battle of the Singers contest, preliminary.
Washington Street Stage
– 4 p.m., Lando the Magician.
– 6:30 p.m., DeAnna Dawn Denning Band, variety.
– 9 p.m., Mahajbee Blues Band.
Diamond Street
– 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Farmers Market around the Doughboy.
– Glass-blowing demonstrations by Harry Smitley of Laurel Art and Glass and his grandson, David Smitley.
Other highlights
– 8 p.m., Festival of Lights Parade, Main Street.
– Senior Citiziens Bingo, Senior Citizens Building, 6 to 9 p.m. today and Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Saturday
Gazebo Stage
– 10:30 a.m., Queen and Young Miss pageants.
– 12:45 p.m., “Soul Men” Blues Brothers tribute show.
– 6 p.m., “Let’s Be Frank” tribute to Frank Sinatra.
– 9 p.m., The Vogues, oldies.
Washington Street Stage
– 10 a.m., goods and services auction.
– Noon, Mystic Knights, rhythm and blues band.
– 4 p.m., Darlene School of Dance.
– 5:30 p.m., Crazy Cowboys Country Band.
– 9:30 p.m., Battle of the D.J.s
Main Street
– 2 p.m., Parade with parade marshall Jack Gulisek.
Diamond Street
– 6 to 8 p.m., Coca-Cola Hall of Fame exhibit.
Other highlights
– 4 p.m., Scottish Pipes strolling on festival midway.
– Texas Hold’em competition at Mini Mall parking lot.
Sunday
Gazebo Stage
– 2:30 p.m., Ethnic Dance Show.
– 5:30 p.m., Povertyneck Hillbillies.
Sony Stage
– 11:30 a.m., Mount Pleasant Community Choir.
– 4 p.m., Gaylyn Nichols, 2003 Battle of the Singers winner.
– 4:30 p.m., Battle of the Singers finale.
Washington Street Stage
– 11:30 a.m., Jake Zelmore & the Traveling Road Show, old-time country.
– 1:45 p.m., Dance Dynamics School of Dance.
– 2:30 p.m., Mixx Band, variety.
– 4:45 p.m., Dance Works by Melanie.
– 5:30 p.m., Keystone Country Band.
Other highlights
– Noon to 2 p.m., Kidsfest, Beautiful Baby winner announced, stroller parade.
– 8 p.m., Fireworks.