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‘Most beautiful weekend’ for South Fayette Community Day

By Harry Funk staff Writer hfunk@thealmanac.Net 3 min read
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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Kaylin Goldstrohm, left, and Myah Broyles brave a snake being put around them during a Community Day reptile show by Mike the Balloon Guy and Co.

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Lifelong South Fayette resident Cindy Manias shows off her Woodstock T-shirt to help commemorate the legendary music and arts festival’s 50th anniversary.

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Gwen Rodi, vice president of the South Fayette Township Board of Commissioners, receives a certificate of recognition for Community Day from Allegheny County Council member Patrick Catena.

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Ila Joshi sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” to open Community Day.

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Mike Scheer channels Keith Richards in the Rolling Stones tribute band Jumpin’ Jack Flash.

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Garrett Andrae channels Mick Jagger during a performance by the Rolling Stones tribute band Jumpin’ Jack Flash.

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Harry Funk/the almanac

South Fayette Township Commissioner Rebecca Sray welcomes Community Day guests.

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Jocelyn Horowitz touches ground safely following a zipline ride at Community Day.

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Jonathan Hernandez navigates a bridge built at Community Day by members of Boy Scout Troop 2 in Bridgeville.

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Kavita Iyengar performs as part of a duet with Abhijett Joshi, backed by the River City Brass Quintet.

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Rob Eldridge performs with Steelesque.

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Michael Orlando tries the “Monkey Motion” ride at Community Day.

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Pete Hewlett performs during Community Day.

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Sam Baldigowski performs with Steelesque.

During the opening ceremony for South Fayette Community Day, Andrea Iglar had a simple description of the event.

“The most beautiful weekend of the year here in South Fayette Township,” she said.

The township’s director of communications and community development pretty much had that right. The weather for the Aug. 24 event at Fairview Park cooperated fully, with not-too-hot, not-too-cold temperatures and no precipitation to be seen anywhere.

This marks the fourth year for Community Day in its current configuration, and it’s proved to be popular.

“It’s great to see so many people come out today to join us, as this event continues to grow and grow,” said Gwen Rodi, vice president of the township board of commissioners, as part of the opening.

Fellow commissioner Rebecca Sray agreed.

“This event, I think everybody looks forward to every year. And every year, I think it gets better and better.”

Also visiting were elected officials U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Mt. Lebanon; state Sen. Pam Iovino, D-Mt. Lebanon; state Rep. Jason Ortitay, R-Cecil Township; and Patrick Catena, who represents District 4 on the Allegheny County Council.

“It’s always a privilege and an honor to be in South Fayette Township, one of the biggest and strongest growing communities in Allegheny County,” Catena said before presenting a certificate of recognition from the council to the township “for uniting its citizens, hosting businesses and promoting community spirit.”

Community Day featured numerous activities for guests of all ages, plus plenty of music. South Fayette student Ila Joshi sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and her father, Abhijett, joined fellow vocalist Kavita Iyengar and members of the River City Brass Quintet in performing music from India.

The quintet continued with instrumental favorites on the event’s Main Stage, presented by Community Day presenting sponsor Dollar Bank. Taking the stage later in the day were Hewlett Anderson – that would be Pete and Scott, respectively, joined by Joe Waslousky – and the Rolling Stones tribute band Jumpin’ Jack Flash.

On the community stage, performers included South Fayette Township High School Select Choir; Audrey Logan, who sang Disney “Princess songs”; Steelesque, with Rob Eldridge on acoustic guitar and vocals, Sam Baldigowski on pedal steel guitar and mandolin; and Bruce Virtue on drums.

Also featured on the community stage – where Dave Iglar, Andrea’s father, coordinated the sound – were magician David Lawrence and a reptile show by Mike the Balloon Guy and Co.

Further sponsors for the event included Topgolf and Washington Financial Bank; the Law Offices of Goldberg, Kamin and Garvin LLP; and Dunkin,’ FedEx Ground, Realtor Jen Crouse with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, Mittall Division of KU Resources Inc., Stepping Stones Psychiatric Care and Watson Insitute.

The South Fayette Community Day Committee took care of the many logistics in organizing the event and making sure it came off without a hitch. Along with Andrea Iglar, serving on the committee are Paula Willis, parks and recreation director; residents Venkat Coonamamani and Asmita Srivastava; and Brian Turnwald, representing Dollar Bank.

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