The Stroller, Aug. 4, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

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New Kensington to host Western Pa. Firemen’s Convention

The 132^nd annual Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Convention will be Thursday through Sunday in New Kensington.

The public is welcome. The schedule will include:

Thursday: 5:30 p.m., service in memory of New Kensington fireman Eric L. Mangieri, who died while on duty at New Kensington No. 4 Firehall, 1710 Seventh St.

Friday: 6 p.m., memorial service at 6 p.m. at Rivers Church, 273 Chester Drive, Lower Burrell; 7:30 p.m., and refreshments and entertainment by The Shiners at New Kensington No. 1 Firehall, 785 Fourth Ave.

Saturday: 9 a.m., car cruise in the 800 block of Fourth Ave; 10:30 a.m., judging of fire apparatus at Valley High School; 12:30 p.m. parade lineup begins; 3 p.m., parade; and after the parade, award presentation and music at Firehall No. 1.

Sunday: 8 a.m., battle of the barrel at Firehall No. 1.

Annual festival planned at St. Margaret Mary Parish

The annual St. Margaret Mary Parish Festival of Friendship will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday on the parish grounds, 3055 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell.

There will be music, food trucks, indoor bingo, a basket raffle, children’s activities and rides and a bake sale.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesday: Apollo Hose Company No. 2 will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $25 per packet. The kitchen will be open with a limited menu. Details: 724-478-4831.

Nov. 1: Apollo Hose Company No. 2 is accepting space applications for an autumn vendor fair planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth Ave. Spots available with and without electricity available. Details: Shelby, 724-549-1601.

Apollo/East Vandergrift

Aug. 13: Our Lady, Queen of Peace and St. James parishes are accepting reservations for a bus trip to Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh. Cost: $30, includes $20 in free play. The bus will leave at 9 a.m. from St. James Church parking lot in Apollo. State-issued photo ID required for free play. Reservations: 724-478-4958.

Bethel Township

Aug. 13: The Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek will sponsor Sunset Story and Craft at 7 p.m. at the center, 142 Kerr Road. Participants will read “The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush, as retold by Tomie dePaola and make a sunset craft. Donations will be accepted. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/bdcyc6j8.

Brackenridge

Wednesday: Al-Anon will meet at 8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10th Ave. The group offers help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics.

Cadogan

Tuesday: The township farmers market will be open from 3 to 6 p.m. at Overlook Park. Details: Jeanne Richardson, 724-815-7347.

East Deer  

Aug. 16: Vendor applications are being accepted for the seventh annual Summer Celebration planned at East Deer Memorial Park. Details: Chrystal, 724-224-3434, ext. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or eastdeermanager@outlook.com.

Freeport

Wednesdays: The Blessing Closet at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All items are free, but donations will be accepted. Items available include clothing of all sizes, bedding and window items. Donations of clothing, shoes and boots welcome; must be laundered and free from smoke and pet hair. Wheelchair accessible. Details: 724-295-3095.

Harrison

Tuesday: The free summer children’s playground program sponsored by Natrona Comes Together Association will offer a workshop to make tie dyed T-shirts at noon at the Natrona pavilion, 10 River Ave. A free lunch is served by Faith Community Partners from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays for children 18 and younger. Details: natronacomestogetherassociation.org.

Tuesday: The Accordion Club will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. at 6003 Freeport Road. New members welcome. Details: 724-236-0665.

Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean clothing in all sizes is needed. No housewares or bedding please. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

Wednesday: The free summer children’s playground program sponsored by Natrona Comes Together Association will offer “Think Fast” with Mad Science of Pittsburgh at noon at the Natrona pavilion, 10 River Ave. Details: natronacomestogetherassociation.org.

Wednesday: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Food bank participants can receive food allotments twice per month. Those who are not yet registered should come from 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The Sparrow’s Nest clothing and home goods ministry will be open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.

Wednesday: The Becky’s Closet community clothing store at Faith Lutheran Church, 1500 Broadview Blvd., will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Cost: adult tops and bottoms, 50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. Please bring small bills and your own bags. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.

Aug. 9: Allegheny County Park Rangers will host a free open house and display about trees from 10 a.m. to noon at the Harrison Hills Park Environmental Learning Center. Drop in any time. The program is wheelchair accessible. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/4bk2hw72.

Aug. 11 and 14: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will sponsor a paint night for adults from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Attend either session. The project will be green tropical monstera leaves. Cost: $10. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/t3jmntwy.

Indiana Township

Aug. 10: Allegheny County Park Rangers will present a free guided walk, “The Legacy of Mary Lawrence,” from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Hartwood Acres Mansion. Meet at the mansion overflow parking lot, 200 Hartwood Acres. The walk is approximately one mile with mild elevation gains. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/y278eezj.

Leechburg   

Today: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 268 Canal St. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open.

Wednesday: Borough residents are welcome to join Mayor Doreen Smeal for coffee and to discuss community ideas and concerns from 9 to 11 a.m. at Frankie’s on Second, 83 Second St.

Aug. 19: Lower Kiski Ambulance Service will offer a SafeSitter class with CPR training from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the service, 80 Kiski Ave. Students 11 to 13 welcome. Cost: $50, includes a handbook. Those attending should bring a sack lunch and water bottle. Reservations required by Aug. 11. Reservations: safesitter@lowerkiskiems.org. Details: 724-845-8504, ext. 4.

Wednesdays and Saturdays: Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society, 118 First St., will open from noon to 3 p.m. Details: 724-845-8914 and leave a message or lamahs@windstream.net.

Oct. 11: Vendor applications are being accepted for a fall food and craft festival planned in Riverfront Park. Details: Leechburg Public Library, 724-236-0080.

Lower Burrell

Tuesday: Peoples Library will host a virtual talk with Smithsonian biologist Jay Falk at 2 p.m. Falk will discuss the fascinating world of birds. Registration required. Registration: libraryc.org/peopleslibrary. Details: 724-339-1021.

Aug. 9: A burger bash will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Braeburn Community Church, 4146 Arnold Ave. Cost: $7, to build your own burger and with side dishes. Tickets: Marie, 724-448-0841 or at the door.

New Kensington

Wednesday: A veterans service officer will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of state Rep. Jill Cooper, 356 Freeport St., suite 100. Services available will include disability and pension claims, benefit questions, assisting spouses with survivor benefits issues and applications for veterans grants. Appointments will be accepted, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: 724-472-4102.

Wednesday: Peoples Library, 880 Barnes St., will present “Reading Rocks! A Bubble, Comedy and Music Show,” at 2 p.m. at the library. Children of all ages welcome. Details: 724-339-1021.

Wednesday: Ken High Class of 1960 will meet for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St. The group meets the first Wednesday of the month. Spouses and guests welcome. Details: Robert Grden, 440-269-0345 or bgconcord@aol.com.

Wednesday: Ethical Hope, 938 Fifth Ave, will offer free programs: 11 a.m., toddler story time and craft; 11:30 a.m., preschool story time and craft; and 12:30 p.m., kids crafts. No reservations required. Details: visit Ethical Hope on Facebook.

Aug. 13: The Lions Club will sponsor a bus trip to Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh. The bus will arrive at Central City Plaza at 11 a.m., depart at 11:30 a.m. and leave the casino at 7 p.m. Bring your photo ID and Rivers player card if you have one. Cost: $40, includes $20 in free slots play. Details and reservations: 724-681-2873.

Oakmont

Tuesdays: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. Private weigh-ins will be from 5:45 to 6:10 p.m. and the meeting will be afterward. The first meeting is free. Details: 412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Plum 

Today: The Farmers Market will be open from 3 to 7 p.m. at Plum Creek Presbyterian Church, 550 Center New Texas Road.

Tuesday: The Plum Food Pantry, 81 Sandune Drive, distributes free food from 4:30 to 6 p.m. the first three Tuesdays of each month. Recipients in need must stop in at the pantry to be confirmed/verified. Details: 724-327-0367.

Saxonburg

Today: Bingo will begin at 7 p.m. in the ballroom of Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company, 210 Horne Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. The kitchen will be open.

Aug. 14 though Oct. 23: Good Samaritan Hospice, a mission of Concordia Lutheran Ministries, will offer a weekly free adult grief support group from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at South Butler Community Library, 240 W. Main St. Reservations required by Aug. 12. Reservations: John Porter, 800-720-2557.

Tarentum   

Tuesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St.

Wednesday: Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will offer a free farmers market from noon to 5 p.m. while supplies last. There are no income guidelines and everyone is welcome.

Wednesday: The borough farmers market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the upper parking lot of First United Presbyterian Church, Lock Street. Vendor information: office@fupct.org.

Wednesday: The Elks will host bingo at 6:30 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E. Sixth Ave. The kitchen is open to the public from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Menu: elks644.org/elks-kitchen-1. Orders: 724-226-1644 by 8:15 p.m.

Wednesdays and Saturdays: The Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society, 224 E. Seventh Ave., is open from noon to 3 p.m. and other times by appointment. Details: 724-224-7666.

Upper Burrell   

Aug. 24: Skyview Radio Society is accepting space reservations for its swap ‘n shop set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the club grounds, 2335 Turkey Ridge Road. Bring your own table. Cost: $5. Reservations: John Italiano, 724-339-3821.

Washington Township

Today: Washington-Bell Lions Club will host a free meet-the-author event with author and reporter George Guido at 6:30 p.m. in pavilion 3 of Kunkle Park, Pine Run Church Road. Guido will discuss the history of local towns and local sports.

Tuesdays and Thursdays: The Blessing Closet at Union Presbyterian Church will be open by appointment from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays at the church, 656 Route 380. Items available include paper products, cleaning supplies, feminine hygiene products and pet supplies. Appointments: 724-337-3042.

Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.

West Deer   

Aug. 14: A free guided hike with park rangers will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Deer Lakes Park. The hike will be approximately 2 miles with moderate elevation changes. Meet at the Anglers Shelter. Bring water and wear closed toe shoes. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/yusu6344.

Aug. 16: West Deer Parks and Recreation Board and the Pennsylvania Game Commission will offer a hunter-trapper safety course from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at West Deer No. 3 Volunteer Firehall, 4418 Gibsonia Road. This course and the passing of a certification exam at the end of the class is required for all first-time hunters and trappers before they can buy a license. Participants must be at least 11 years old. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/4sv7swa2.