Bethel Park Community Day combines work with pleasure
Tenley Villani embodied the spirit of Bethel Park Community Day.
Held annually on the second Saturday of September, the event showcased all the municipality has to offer its citizens. After a parade featuring the high school band, fire trucks, emergency vehicles, floats, organizations and plenty of candy, festivities transitioned to the high school parking lots where booths were set up for fundraising activities for school clubs as well as youth and community organizations.
Mayor Jack Allen honored distinguished native Rick Sebak and issued a proclamation citing the day in his honor before children, parents, neighbors and friends took part in family-friendly activities, and dined at local food trucks and booths in support of each other.
Although only 9, Villani covered the campus grounds, hawking home-made cookies that she and her mother baked to raise money for her cheerleading organization. She is a varsity member of the recreation team that rooted on the youth football team earlier in the morning.
“They’re delicious,” Villani told customers and encouraged them by explaining that one cookie sold for $3 but two could be had for the bargain price of $5.
“I’m working really hard,” she told a reporter. “And having fun,” she added.
Jacob Luetzow shared Villani’s viewpoint. As he watched his son toss an ax and work on his archery skills, Luetzow said, “Henry’s having a lot of fun,” but for him, not so much as he was keeping track of two additional children while mom was at home. “Maggie’s getting things ready for his birthday party,” he explained of the celebration being held the following day.
Cami Fisher had plenty of time to play as her high school tennis team made quick work of selling out of merchandise. Her organization annually offers chrysanthemums for purchase as well as cookies.
“We sold three boxes of cookies and 75 mums in the first two hours,” she exclaimed. “People love our flowers. So it was awesome.”
Because she also plays high school lacrosse, Fisher stuck around to help that team with t-shirt sales. The squad also offered dirty sodas.
“They’re basically any kind of soda with sweet cream cold foam and you can get things like blue raspberries and gummy sharks in them. They’re very good,” she said, encouraging purchases.
Community day, likewise, is the main event in early fall at Bethel Park.
“One-hundred percent,” Fisher enthused. “It’s really nice to have everyone in the community in one place. Everyone’s kind of just buying from each other and supporting one another.
“The tennis team does a really good job of having a good thing to sell,” she said of the flowers provided by Flora Park. “Then the community gets involved because they love them and they like to support our team. In turn, we like to give back by performing well. So it all works out.”
Sarah Bialek and Laura Necci agree that community day works out as a fun-filled day with little expenditure. Although they are neighbors and their daughters, Carpi and Samantha, are both 7 and attend the new elementary school, they met by chance at community day.
Of the event Necci said that it’s good for the community. Bialek concurred saying that ‘it’s great, really good.’
“There’s a lot of free stuff; good stuff for the kids,” Bialek added, showing a bagful of stuffed toys and prizes. ”
“They love it,” Necci stressed.
Bethany Knox agreed. She is excited that her daughter, Brynlee, is making new memories through attending the new elementary school as well as community day.
She explained that because her son helps operate a lemonade stand for Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, she’s a community day regular. “We’re up here every year with the South Park American Legion,” she explained.
“We love it,” she continued. “It’s great seeing all the people and all the different groups. It’s great to see the kids enjoying themselves and to see what else is going on in Bethel Park.”
Enrico and Megan Gigliotti have lived in the municipality for five years, raising their daughter, Gianna. They couldn’t think of a better way to spend their Saturday or any day for that matter.
“We try to make community day every year. We love the activities, specifically for the children. Gianna is having a good time,” Megan said as they waited in line for the bounce house and slide.
“We love it and the community is amazing,” added Enrico. “It’s friendly, neighborly, welcoming and well kept. We love living here.”