Claims of financial impropriety against the Allegheny Township Community Days committee could have doomed the event hosted Sunday in sweltering heat at Northmoreland Park.
Instead, organizers said, the adversity helped the event prosper.
“Look at this turnout, it’s wonderful,” said Frank Weissert, committee president, pointing to crowds of people who milled between food trucks, entertainment and craft booths. “We had 40 vendors last year – we have 90 today.”
Township Supervisor Jamie Morabito said earlier this week that after raising more than $17,000 last year, donations heading into Sunday were scant because of accusations by current and former supervisors of the nonprofit hiding thousands of dollars from the township and its citizens.
Morabito denies the claims.
“When people found out we were struggling, so many donors came forward,” he said. “It turned out more positive than we ever thought.”
Weissert said a major, anonymous donor stepped up and resulted in the committee being just shy of what it raised last year.
The one-day event appeared to go off without a hitch. Shoppers could find their pick of jewelry, garden decorations, tea towels, gnomes, keychains and much more. A dozen food trucks offered French fries, wood-fired pizza, hot sausage and bubble tea.
Elias O’Connor said the best pick was a no-brainer – his deep-fried Oreo.
“I love it,” the five-year-old said as he tried to fit it into his mouth.
There were demonstrations, live bands, a car show with 125 souped-up, vintage and otherwise unique vehicles. The car show swelled from 30 entries last year.
David Sullivan of Verona showed off his 1963 Ford Thunderbird.
“It was my dad’s dream car and my brother was lucky enough to find one sitting in a yard in Michigan,” Sullivan said.
Restored to its original style – complete with four-wheel drum brakes and swing-away steering – Sullivan has been showing the car since about 2010.
“My dad passed away but I still consider it his car,” Sullivan said.
The Bauer family of Natrona Heights said they frequent the park and enjoy the special events hosted throughout the year. Logan Bauer, 5, got a first-hand tour of the Markle VFD fire engine and was thrilled with his souvenir take-home plastic helmet.
Other emergency responders were on hand to interact with visitors, along with a SWAT team armored vehicle and K-9 units.
“There’s something for everyone,” Morabito said. “This is bigger than we ever expected.”
Weissert said any money raised will be donated back through scholarships and to community groups.
“This is for the community to have a good time and come together,” he said.
