Kids enjoy sun, horses, helicopter at East Deer community celebration
Sandy Galie had her hands full Saturday keeping track of five grandkids — including two sets of twins — at the East Deer Township Summer Celebration in the Park.
Galie, of East Deer, was helping four of them enjoy the seesaws at the township’s Memorial Park in Creighton. “They’re loving it,” Galie said. “We’re celebrating the community on a beautiful, sunny day.”
This is the second straight year for the community event featuring food booths, snow cones, face painting, games, free pony rides and local fire and police trucks and cruisers. A STAT MedEvac helicopter from the ACMH Hospital also made an appearance.
“There’s one constant with the helicopters: The kids go crazy for it,” said Andrew Montenaro, the pilot. “We probably do one of these (events) a month.”
Deangelo Matthews, 1, of Brackenridge certainly enjoyed it. Matthews took a seat in the back of the chopper and put on a seat belt.
“He thought he was going for a ride,” said his mom, Angelea. “He loves trucks and he loves helicopters, so he’s really enjoying all of this. He gets super excited whenever he sees a helicopter.”
Tony Taliani, president of the East Deer commissioners, said the township started the event last year as a way for residents to meet each other and enjoy an affordable day outdoors.
“Last year was the inaugural event and it was very good, but it was one of those hot, humid days,” he said. “We’re trying to build it up a little bit. It looks like we’re going to have a really nice day weather-wise.”
Kids activities ran from 2-6 p.m. and fun for adults started at 7, with a free oldies concert by the local band Stagger Lee.
“Recreation has to include the adults,” Taliani said. “That’s why we have the oldies concert tonight.”
Pony rides and the helicopter were the main attractions during the day.
Rides were provided by Tim Swickrath of Sharpsburg and his granddaughter, Myla Chirico.
“I’ve been doing this 30 years,” Swickrath said. “(Chirico’s) the third generation of pony rides.”
Teresa Carmen, 7, and her brother, Thomas, 4, were among the first to hop on the ponies.
“It was shaky,” Teresa said with a grin.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.