The Stroller, July 23, 2025: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller.

Annual Artfest to honor Brothers Grimm

The Vandergrift Artfest will be from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday in downtown Vandergrift.

This year’s theme, “Art Goes Grimm,” will pay homage to the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales. An opening art show reception will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the Vandergrift Market building, 134 Grant Ave. There will be jazz music and refreshments. Admission to the art show reception only is $5.

On Sunday the art show will continue and there will be over 20 food trucks and a main stage with live entertainment. Costumed Grimm fairy tales characters will roam about and there will be a scavenger hunt and costume party. Children’s activities will be from noon to 4 p.m. in McKinley Alley.

Free parking will be available in the Big Lots plaza in Allegheny Township with free shuttle service available to and from the festival from 11:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information, visit vandergriftartfest.com.

Monthly Fridays on Fifth event set in New Kensington

The New Kensington Fridays on Fifth gathering will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday in downtown, rain or shine.

Sponsored by the city recreation commission, businesses will be open and there will be music and food trucks. Bring a chair.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: 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. There will be specials and wish jars. Details: 724-478-4831.

Thursday: The Yarn Good Time Fiber Arts Group at Apollo Memorial Li-brary will meet from 5 to 6 p.m. at the library, 219 N. Pennsylvania Ave. The Embroidery Club will meet at 6 p.m. All skill levels welcome. Details: 724-478-4214.

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.

Brackenridge

Today: 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.

Thursday: The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center will distribute free grab-and-go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the center parking lot, 917 Brackenridge Ave. Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

Thursday: Bingo will be at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details: 724-994-6030.

Clearfield Township

Friday and Saturday: An indoor/outdoor rummage sale will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at St. John School, 668 S. Clearfield Road, Fenelton. Food will sold and proceeds will benefit the charities supported by the St. Francis Parish Marian Guild.

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.

Fawn 

Monday to Aug. 1: Center Church will host vacation Bible school, “True North,” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the church, 1575 Donnellville Road. Children age 4 through those who have completed fifth grade welcome. Details: 724-226-2300, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

Freeport

Today: 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.

Gilpin

Thursday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Harrison  

Today: The free summer children’s playground program sponsored by Natrona Comes Together Association will host a program about dinosaurs with the Carnegie Museum of Natural History at noon at the Natrona pavilion, 10 River Ave. Funding provided by the Grable Foundation. Details: natronacomestogetherassociation.org.

Today: 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.

Today: 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.

Today: 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.

Friday: Natrona Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the post, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 6 p.m., and there will be specials, a 50-50 raffle and final game jackpot.

Friday: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host Toddle Time, a story time for children 1 to 3 years old and their caregiver at 10 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. No reservations required.

Aug. 2: Community Library of Allegheny Valley is accepting entry registrations for its Color Our W orld Art Show planned at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. All ages welcome. Registration deadline: July 26. Details: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org or stop in at the library.

Aug. 2: A free guided hike with park rangers will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at Harrison Hills Park. Meet at the environmental learning center. The hike will be approximately two miles with moderate elevation changes. Bring water and wear closed toe shoes. Reservations required. Reservations: tinyurl.com/y2auwvs8.

Indiana Township

Thursday: Allegheny County Park Rangers will present a free guided walk, “The Legacy of Mary Lawrence,” at 10 a.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.

Jefferson Township

Thursday: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.

Leechburg   

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

Today: Peoples Library will host a free program about Westmoreland County’s forests and streams with the Westmoreland Land Trust at 1 p.m. Details: 724-339-1021.

Through July 30: The works of Allegheny Valley League of Artists members Eileen Kopelman and Patti Giordano will be on exhibit during operating hours at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave.

Aug. 10: The annual Moose lodge picnic will be from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1601 Wildlife Lodge Road. Cost: $20; children 12 and older, $10. There will be a basket auction, cornhole and children’s games. Members and their guests welcome. Reservation deadline: July 30. Details: NKMoose53@gmail.com.

New Kensington  

Today: Peoples Library will host an online watch party with award-winning author Rex Ogle at 4 p.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Join the group at the library in person or watch online at home. Activity sheets, snacks and drinks will be provided. Registration required to watch on demand or join the group online. Registration: libraryc.org/peopleslibrary. Details: 724-339-1021.

Today: Ethical Hope, 938 Fifth Ave, will offer free programs: 10:30 a.m.; baby lapsit and story time; 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.

Thursday: Sally’s Outdoor Market will be open from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Salvation Army, 255 Third St. There will be vendors and free produce while supplies last. Vendor applications: 724-335-7221.

Thursday: Knead Community Café will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the cafe, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are sponsored by the UPMC Residency Program. Details: 878-847-7997 or kneadcommunitycafe.org.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sales are from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Cost: $25 for a 12-on package; specials will be available. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Thursday and Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes, linens, purses and handbags. Donations welcome during business hours only. Do not leave donations at the door.

Parks Township

Friday: Parks Township Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7 p.m. in the firehall, 1119 Dalmation Drive. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Plum  

Aug. 1: Pucketos Garden Club will host a luncheon at 11 a.m. at Veltre’s Wedding and Event Center, 324 Coxcomb Hill Road. The program will be “The Beauty of Charcuterie.” There will be a basket auction and 50-50. Cost: $45. Tickets: Barbara Summers, 724-882-4643.

Springdale

Today: Springdale Free Public Library, 331 School St., will offer a crochet class at 6 p.m. The group will meet the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The first class will be about basic stitches. Bring a hook and some yarn. All ages welcome. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Thursday: The diaper pantry at St. Mark Lutheran Church will distribute free diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church, 600 Pittsburgh St. Advance registration required. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Distributions are the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Registration: 724-274-5313.

Thursday: Lower Valley Community Food Bank will distribute food from 1 to 3 p.m. from the rear entrance of the Springdale borough building, 325 School St. Do not arrive before 12:45 p.m. Anyone in need of food who lives in Springdale, Springdale Township, Cheswick, Harmar and the sections of Indiana Township and West Deer with a zip code of 15024 is welcome. New recipients can register Thursday. Updates: lowervalleyfoodbank.org.

Tarentum

Today: 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.

Today: 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.

Friday: Free bread and baked goods will be distributed at 10 a.m. while supplies last at Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., suite 12. Details: 724-224-9006.

Torrance

Thursday: The Board of Trustees at Torrance State Hospital will have an open meeting at 1:30 p.m. in the CEO conference room, first floor, Greizman Building, Route 1014. Details: 724-459-8000.

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.

Vandergrift

Thursday: The borough farmers market will be open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot across the street from the Casino Theater. Details: visit vandergriftfarmersmarket on Facebook.

Washington Township

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

Friday: Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 4078 Route 66. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The kitchen will open and card sales start at 6 p.m. Free coffee. Players must be at least 18 or accompanied by an adult.

West Deer 

Saturday : Join Allegheny County Park Rangers for a day of habitat restoration from 9 a.m. to noon at Deer Lakes Park. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Veterans I shelter. Volunteers will use hand tools to remove invasive species and may plant native species. Expect to participate in physical activity. No experience is necessary. Tools, gloves and eye protection will be provided. Bring water, wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Registration requested. Registration: tinyurl.com/mtfej4rf.

Winfield

Thursday: The Matrona Family Resource Center at Cabot Church, 707 Winfield Road, will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. New and gently used clothing in sizes preemie through 10/12 will be available, as well as strollers, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details: 724-524-1809 or tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.