Blawnox residents and those from surrounding communities came together in the community park for a celebration a century in the making.

The borough marked its 100th anniversary with multiple live acts, various artisans, animals, activities and a drone show on Sept. 20.

The most important part of it all was the people, according to Mayor Anthony Gross.

“This is turning out real well for us,” Gross said. “This is what a small town is. Some of these people have been here all their lives and look at them — they’re 80, 100 years old.”

Blawnox’s oldest resident, Mary Dolhi, 101, made it to the party. She was accompanied by her daughter, Patty Massimino, and sons Robert and Mike Dolhi.

Born and raised in the borough, Mary Dolhi said she loved seeing all the activity in the park and the key to a long life is to keep breathing.

“The good air keeps me alive,” said Dolhi, prior to being escorted by Massimino to the seating area by the main stage.

Live entertainment

Live musical performances were coordinated by Band Together Pittsburgh co-founder and Blawnox business owner Ronny “Moondog” Esser.

Band Together is a nonprofit that showcases singer/songwriter, musicians and other artists on the autism spectrum.

Band Together performers at the celebration sung original tunes as well as covers from music legends Shania Twain, Joan Jett, The Ides of March and many others.

“It means a lot to me because I’ve been in Blawnox for a long time,” Esser said. “My son lives on the autism spectrum. The way it all just happened, it’s great to have them here and it’s great being in front of people. Autism is not necessarily a disability. They are just differently-abled. When you hear how good some of these musicians are, you’ll understand.

Esser, a Frazer resident, has two Blawnox businesses, both along Freeport Road. He opened the bar/lounge Moondogs in June 1988 and Starlite Lounge in September 1994.

He believes the celebration was a rousing success.

“Honestly, I was surprised to see how many people were here and see all the smiles,” said Esser. “It’s great to see all your old friends that you haven’t seen.”

Event volunteers were selling Blawnox T-shirts and hoodies commemorating the event as well as a 52-page centennial book by historian Tom Powers.

Other live acts included Norm Nardini, Nied’s Hotel Band and Bob the Magician.

There were pony rides and a petting zoo provided by Polk-based Party Ponies & Farm Friends.

Sharpsburg Public Library had a table near the playground where people made bookmarks and attendees played bingo at a nearby pavilion.

Blawnox firefighters had their trucks out for folks to explore as well as a game in which children put out a fake fire with a real working hose. Chief Jeff Stephens made funnel cakes while other volunteer fire company members worked the grill and helped in the concession stand.

O’Hara police and several Allegheny County Sheriff deputies handled security and crowd control. O’Hara Police Superintendent Jay Davis said his officers enjoyed working the special detail and no issues were reported.

Brief borough history

Blawnox was originally known as the village of Hoboken before growing into a bona fide manufacturing hub.

The village was founded in the late 1860s by Paul Hacke, a Greensburg millionaire and department store owner who purchased a half-square mile property.

Hoboken was home to the Blaw Steel Co. and the Knox Welded and Pressed Steel Co., which merged in 1917 and eventually lent its name to the new borough in 1925.

The land was a part of O’Hara for many years prior to April 1925, when the borough was formally incorporated.

The Blaw-Knox Co. was a Fortune 500 company with additional operations in Lawrenceville, Coraopolis, Pittsburgh’s North Side, Buffalo, N.Y., and Baltimore. It had a large road-paving equipment factory in Illinois and offices worldwide.

The company officially closed on Dec. 31, 1991.

The first borough building along Seventh Street that is now the site of the Seventh Street Commons office building.

Its population is about 1,450, according to the 2020 Census.

Art attachment

Best of Blawox’s Spring Art Fling was changed to Art Mart and moved from its its usual June date to September to coincide with the centennial. About 10 vendors signed up to participate.

Some of the items for sale included candles, soaps and other items from hi Hemp Infused Crafts, mixed media and yard art by Barcino Creations owner Africa Herrera of O’Hara, decorative serving trays and keychains made by Wobble Mud Studios owner Heather Fortuna of Verona.

“We’re always competing with other events going, so we’re glad that these vendors chose us to come in and be with us today,” vendor coordinator Angi Yucas said. “We curated our vendors so that we wouldn’t have repetition of items here. We think we’re pretty successful with that.”

Catherine Burke, Pitcairn resident and co-owner of hi, said the centennial was her first time setting up shop in Blawnox.

She brought a lot of sensitive skincare products as well as fall fun fragrances.

“I love it,” she said. “It’s a beautiful day, really getting the fall mood starting. You don’t get to celebrate 100 years very often. It’s been a really fun atmosphere.”

Yucas, who also serves on the historical book committee, said the celebration was worth the effort.

“It’s so gratifying to see our community come out,” she said.

Old Thunder Brewing made a special American Pale Ale to commemorate the occasion. Its table was in a fenced off area near the main entrance to minimize access by minors.

The beer is available in cans and draft at the brewery along Freeport Road in the old post office building.

Gross said having local businesses and non profits come together making special products and restructuring their schedules for a common effort is another example of what makes Blawnox great.

“It’s the best thing ever,” Gross said. “This is what you want. It’s a hidden little gem along the river.”

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