Community Day at McCandless set for Sept. 10

“The Voice” alum Chris Jamison will perform at McCandless Community Day on Sept. 10, which will feature entertainment, festival fun and fireworks.

The celebration is expected to kick off at 4 p.m., at the Devin Field and the town hall parking lot off of Grubbs Road with the McCandless police department hosting a post of the colors ceremony, and there will be a general recognition of veterans, said Sandra Villao, executive services coordinator for McCandless.

Jamison is the headliner on the entertainment bill, which also includes the Allegheny Brass Band and Michelle’s School of Dance Dancers, Villao said.

Usual festival fun will follow, including mini train rides for children, a mini whip, super slide, moon bounce inflatable and more. Games and other activities will be on hand.

The National Guard will sponsor a rock wall activity. And Northland Public Library will host a story time and activity, according to Villao.

The day includes the Frank J. Farina Jr. Memorial Car Cruise at the North Allegheny Intermediate School on Cumberland Road from 2 to 6 p.m.

The McCandless/North Allegheny Heritage Center will have an information tent on Town Hall grounds with a raffle and objects on display from its collection, according to Abby Lucostic, executive director of the center. The museum will be open for the evening.

Food trucks and other refreshments will be available. Fireworks will close to the festivities at approximately 7:45 p.m.

Community Day was budgeted for approximately $40,000 this year, which is down from previous years, according to John Bojarski, public information officer for McCandless. It comes out of the town’s recreation budget, which as a whole has remained the same, he said.

Several events each year, such as National Night Out and Winterfest, also utilize the recreation funds.

“We have pursued corporate sponsorships to additionally offset the cost of this year’s event as well,” he said.

The Community Day committee is made up of nine residents and several staff members.

Parking will be available in the upper Heritage Center lot via Aufman Lane and the soccer fields there as well. Shuttle service will be provided by North Allegheny School District from the parking lot at the North Allegheny Intermediate High School, according to Villao.

Residents should note that reconstruction of the tennis courts at Devlin Park began the week of July 11, and that area will be closed until Oct. 31.

Residents can meet new town manager Brian O’Malley at the celebration.

Residents also can meet him at a small reception prior to the town council’s Sept. 12 meeting at town hall, according to council President Mike Tarle.