Lower Burrell's Anti-Bullying Awareness Day offers free events, picnic

Lower Burrell is offering free public events and information for Anti-Bullying Awareness Day at City Hall and a picnic at Burrell Lake Park on Saturday.

The event will take place from 2 to 6 p.m.

Nico Pampena, a third-grader who was bullied, will be Lower Burrell Mayor for the Day.

Mayor Rich Callender came up with the idea to honor Pampena after he heard about Pampena’s plight. Callender said he was bullied when he was younger and he wanted to bring the issue to the forefront not only to let Pampena know that there are community resources for him, but to let residents in on those resources, as well.

Anti-bully speakers will kick off the event at 2 p.m. at Lower Burrell City Hall, 115 Schreiber St.

City officials will announce the “Mayor for the Day” proclamation in council chambers.

As part of his mayoral duties, Pampena will inspect the police station, review public works equipment and then travel to Lower Burrell No. 3 Fire Hall to inspect the fire equipment.

Pampena will read a Fireman’s Day appreciation proclamation.

“We are going to make him work,” Callender said with a smile. “This job is not easy. Some people think it is.”

After all that work, it will be time to celebrate with a picnic afterward at pavilion number 1 in Burrell Lake Park.