Optimal weather greets return of Bethel Park Community Day
Nicolette Antonucci, left, and Alayna Owen attend Community Day along with other members of the Bethel Park High softball teamm which won the 2021 WPIAL championship, its first in school history.The Black Hawks also became the first softball team to finish league play undefeated in the largest classification since Hempfield in 2017.
Some of Bethel Park's youngest cheerleaders walk the Community Day parade route.
Former Bethel Park Mayor Reno Virgili pilots a Ford Model A in the Community Day parade.
Enjoying the Community Day parade along Bethel Church Road are Malana Wetzel, left, and Calleigh Och.
Volunteering at the Bethel Park Community Foundation booth are sisters Martina, left, and Sabrina Tatalia.
Members of the Bethel Park High School Marching Band's drumline perform during Community Day.
Enjoying Community Day are, from left, Kian Merkle, Rylee Merkle and Teddy Griffiths.
Among those attending Bethel Park Community Day are sisters Emma, left, and Katie Clouston.
Getting ready for the Community Day parade are Michelle Montana and her sons, Bobby and Trent.
Representing Melting Pot Ministries at Community Day are, from left, executive director Diane Ford, program director Ebony Brown and care coordinator Myheir Bey. Melting Pot focuses on children and their families who are underserved by the educational, social-emotional and cultural organizations in the South Hills.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
The Bethel Park Community Day parade was full of smiles.
Anthony Karner prepares for his next soaking atop the "Dunk a Hawk" tank presented by Bethel Park Hockey.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Members of the Bethel Park High School Marching Band’s brass section perform during Community Day.
Lifelong Bethel Park resident Tom Duerr is ready to meet people at Community Day as the representative of District 5 on Allegheny County Council.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Bethel Park council member Don Harrison and members of his family proceed along the parade route.
Bethel Park council member Joe Consolmagno waves during the Community Day parade.
Jim and Lisa Jenkins take the parade route in a fire truck.
Bethel Park municipal manager Laurence Christian and members of his family were among those distributing candy along the Community Day parade route.
Goldfish Swim School synchronized swimmers do a landlubber's rendition of a routine during the Bethel Park Community Day parade.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
A horse-drawn carriage leads the Bethel Park Community Day parade.
Carrying candy to pass out along the parade route are state Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Bridgeville, and state Rep. Natalie Mihalek, R-Peters Township.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Bethel Park High School cheerleaders promote school spirit along the Community Day parade route.
Youngsters who gathered along the route of the Bethel Park Community Day parade should have plenty of treats to hold them over until Halloween.
When Community Day returned for 2021 on Sept. 25, festivities began with a parade starting at the municipal building and concluding at the high school. Many of the folks who marched and rode in vehicles tossed candy to children who were eager to gather it up for the sake of their sweet teeth.
Although vendors’ booth were placed a bit farther apart than usual in the high school parking lot, the event otherwise looked pretty much the same as always, with the added benefit this year of optimal weather.
With a multitude of activities, games, entertainment, food and beverages, Bethel Park residents and friends of the community were able to gather and enjoy the type of event that practically everyone missed in 2020.
And this year, the kids got the bonus of a head start for Oct. 31.