Monroeville area: Blessing of the Pets, summer music camp, barbecue-fest and more

Email news briefs and event listings to pvarine@triblive.com.

Hillcrest United Presbyterian events

Hillcrest United Presbyterian Church will host the following upcoming events:

• Blessing of the Pets, 10 a.m. July 6, held in a tent outside the church. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Pets must be on a leash or in a carrier, and must be properly socialized.

• Craft group, 6-8 p.m. July 8, held the second Tuesday of each month with Bible readings, prayer, crafts, cookies and fellowship. All ages and abilities are welcome.

• Summer music camp, 9 a.m. to noon July 7-11, open to children ages 6-12 and led by choir director Lynn DeFalco.

Children will learn songs and put on a performance for family and friends at noon July 11. The week will include guest musicians, choral singing, Bible lessons and more.

There is no fee to attend.

The church is at 1622 James Street in Monroeville.

Register at HillcrestUPC.com. For more, call 412-608-2097.

Scholarships available

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is seeking entries from 2025-26 college students, graduate students and their parents to win a $2,500 scholarship sweepstakes from the PA Forward Student Loan Program.

Anyone who opts in to receive communications, which will include tips on planning for and paying for college, between June 5 and Dec. 15, 2025, will be entered into the scholarship sweepstakes. A total of 12 winners will be selected in August and in December this year, prior to each semester.

The PA Forward Scholarship Sweepstakes is open to Pennsylvania residents only.

To enter, visit PHEAA.org/ss.

Convention center events

The following events are scheduled at the Monroeville Convention Center, 209 Mall Plaza Blvd.:

• June 27-29: Pittsburgh BBQ and Band Fest. For more, see PittsburghBBQandBandFest.com.

• July 5-6, 11-13: Dinosaur Adventure. For more, see DinosaurAdventure.com.

• July 11-13: Stamp Scrap Art Tour rubber stamp and scrap-booking show. For more, see StampScrapArtTour.com.

• July 14-15: Warrior Notes fellowship, teaching, prayer services. For more, see Eventbrite.com and enter “Warrior Notes” in the search box and “Monroeville” as the location.

For more information, see MonroevilleConventionCenter.com.

Patton Street partial closure

The Allegheny County Public Works Department closed a portion of Patton Street in Monroeville on June 9.

The closure stretches between Monroeville Boulevard and Mt. Pleasant Drive, and will last through September, while work crews build a retaining wall and make drainage improvements, replace guide rails and repave the street.

Residents in the closure area will have access to their homes at all times.

The $484,774 project is headed up by Pugliano Construction of Plum.

Blood drives

Vitalant will host blood drives on the following dates in Monroeville:

• June 20: AHN Forbes Hospital Learning Center, 2570 Haymaker Road, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• June 30: Courtyard by Marriott, 3962 William Penn Highway, 1-7 p.m.

Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and must be at least 16 years old. Type O and platelet donors are in particular need.

For more, or to schedule an appointment, call 877-258-4825 or go to Vitalant.org.

Revolutionary War church service

A Revolutionary War service will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on June 29 at Hillcrest United Presbyterian Church, 1622 James St., Monroeville.

The event is a recreation of worship service on the Western Pennsylvania frontier that would have been led by Presbyterian missionaries during the Revolutionary War. Themes addressed during the Revolution – natural rights to liberty, tyranny of government coercion and the role of Christians during those social conflicts – will be discussed using Bible passages used during that era.

The service will be held outside on church grounds and is open to the public. Everyone is invited to bring a lawn chair and a bagged lunch for fellowship after worship.

For more, call 412-824-5600 or visit HillcrestUPC.org.

Food pantry

The Garden City Food Pantry will host a food distribution day from 6-7 p.m. July 10 at 500 Laurel Drive in Monroeville.

Distributions will take place on the second Thursday of each month. Additional distribution days will be Aug. 14, Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11.

For more, see GardenCityFoodPantry.org or call 412-373-0391.

Association of University People

The Association of University People invites potential new members to join them at an event.

The association invites singles aged 50 and older, who are four-year college graduates, to join them for activities and to meet new people. Activities include picnics, monthly dinners, a book group and meetups at local concerts and wineries.

For more, call 412-353-9088 or email AUPsingles@gmail.com.

Divine Mercy Academy cheer camp

Registration is open for Divine Mercy Academy’s Saber Summer Cheer Camp, which will be held from 6-8 p.m. June 23-26. This year’s theme is “Neon Lights and Saber Nights.”

Camp is open to all school students entering kindergarten through eighth grade in the fall. Students will learn basic cheerleading skills while building school spirit and teamwork. A showcase for family and friends will be held June 26.

Students will receive pompoms to use at the showcase and then take home. The fee is $30; payment (cash or check made out to DMAAA) can be dropped off or mailed to Divine Mercy Academy, 245 Azalea Drive, Monroeville, 15146. To register, contact Tina Cuda at tina.caruso8@gmail.com by June 18.