Leechburg preps for 14th Pink Day, event planner bids bittersweet farewell

Sherry Price is in the midst of planning her final Pink Day.

Captaining the ship for the past 13 years, Price, 61, the event’s coordinator and Leechburg Pink Day secretary and treasurer, is in for one last hurrah before passing the torch to the Leechburg Area Community Association.

“I want people to understand that it’s not the last Pink Day, just my last Pink Day,” said Price of Leechburg.

She said it has been bittersweet knowing she’s passing the event to other planners, calling the transition a “necessary move.” The event takes months to plan, she said, and has become a bit much for her to handle.

“Lots of blessings have occurred over the last 13 years and through the 14th year,” Price said. “I’ve met a lot of people, made a lot of friends, built a lot of relationships that have become very important to me. I’m grateful for that. I’m grateful for all of the support over the last 13 and into 14 years.”

Pink Day, established in 2011 by Gary and Vicki Peterman of Gilpin, is a celebration and fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Price, a breast cancer survivor, said her mindset about the festival has shifted from feeling the need to beat the donation amount each year to just wanting to host a nice event where people enjoy themselves.

She said her experience fighting cancer gave her a new perspective of why people appreciate the event so much.

“It’s kind of overwhelming, the support system I have, and I’m so grateful for that,” Price said. “I’m amazed by it, actually, and it touches my heart.”

She said that in the past 13 years, fundraisers she has hosted through the Leechburg Pink Day group have raised and donated around $310,000.

Pink Day is expected to attract anywhere between 8,000 and 12,000 people.

Price said she’ll likely serve as a consultant or advisor for the 2026 Pink Day if community association leaders have any questions.

“I am a little sad about it, but I’m also looking forward to the hundreds of hours of free time,” she said.

The day’s details

The 14th annual Pink Day is scheduled for Sept. 20. It’s an all-day affair that shuts down Market Street from First to Third streets.

In previous years, the event would kick off with a 5K walk. Price said the walk will not happen this year.

Instead, an Anything That Floats Regatta, hosted by the Kiski Watershed Association, will be taking its place at 9 a.m. at Leechburg Fire Hall. Items will float to Riverfront Park, where they’ll be taken out of the water. Participants can preregister at Zeffy.com.

The Leechburg Volunteer Fire Department also will host bucket truck rides in the afternoon after the department’s annual boot drive.

“(Fire department members) do a boot drive for me that day in the morning,” Price said. “Very graciously, they stand out there for hours collecting donations, and then they don’t even take a penny. They give it to me for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.”

The rest of the day’s activities, including live music, food and craft vendors, a car cruise and family activities, will kick off at 10 a.m.

Price said more than 100 product vendors attend. Local businesses also will participate.

At 4 p.m., a “foam party” will feature foam cannons shooting bubbles all over Market Street. There will be a silent auction, a 50-50 raffle and Pink Day shirts for sale.

In anticipation of her last year in charge, Price said she’s looking forward to making time to speak with and personally thank the vendors and other people who’ve helped with the event in the past.

“I’m usually running around like a crazy person, and I really never have time to talk to folks or spend any time with folks,” Price said. “Some of these vendors have been with me for all 14 years.

“I really want to go to these people and thank them, hug them and say goodbye.”