Mar 3, 2017 By Luke Campbell 2 min read

South Fayette will celebrate its 175th anniversary with a birthday bash at the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department.

The birthday bash will be held March 16 – exactly 175 years to the day of the township’s founding – from 5 to 8 p.m. in the fire department’s Sunset Room. It is free and open to the public.

“It’s going to be a fun birthday part tied in with the history of the township,” community development director Andrea Iglar said. “It’s a nice chance to have a community event.”

Activities include games, prizes, birthday cake, frozen yogurt, face painting, crafts, a magician, photo booth and much more. Merchandise honoring the anniversary will also be sold to benefit the Historical Society of South Fayette Township.

According to the township website, it was named for Marquis de Lafayette, a French general who served the United States during the American Revolution. It was an area claimed by both Pennsylvania and Virginia before 1788 when it became a part of Moon Township, one of seven townships in Allegheny County. Two years later, Fayette Township was taken out of Moon Township and split into two municipalities – North Fayette and South Fayette.

The birthday bash is the first of many events that will be held throughout 2017 to celebrate the landmark achievement. The township also has plans for a historical series to run one day in June, July and August. The historical series, hosted by the South Fayette Senior Center, will include speakers, movies and other activities.

South Fayette is also offering the opportunity to preserve a personalized message in the new township park by buying bricks, with the ultimate goal of 175 to resemble 175 years. Those contributions will help build a playground through the South Fayette Community Fund. The cost per brick is $100.

The township is also collecting favorite local memories and photos online to be buried in a time capsule ceremony held in conjunction with the grand opening of the new athletic fields off of Seminary Avenue on Sept. 18.

“In a way, 175 years is a long time,” Iglar said. “We do have a lot to celebrate. There is a lot going on in South Fayette. We have a vibrant residential community that has formed and have a lot of plans in the works for businesses. It’s an exciting time, which makes this celebration extra special.”