The Stroller, July 29, 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.

Polkamaniacs scheduled to play at Syria Shrine Center

The free Thunder Thursdays Summer Music Series will present the Polkamaniacs in concert at the pavilion at the Syria Shrine Center, 1877 Shriners Way, Harmar.

Concerts start at 7 p.m., rain or shine. Gates open at 6 p.m. There is free parking and food and beverages will be sold. No tailgating or outside food or drinks are permitted.

The series is sponsored by Miller Lite, Band Together Pittsburgh, Moondog’s and the Pittsburgh Shrine Center.

Tarentum Summer Concert series to feature the Cool Change Band

The Tarentum Summer Concert series will host the Cool Change Band in concert at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Carl J. Magnetta Jr. Memorial Amphitheater in Riverview Memorial Park.

The Snack Shack opens at 6 p.m. The concerts are sponsored by Tarentum Recreation Board.

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

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

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.

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

Thursday: The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center in Brackenridge will hand out 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.

Cadogan 

Today: 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.

Gilpin

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

Harrison   

Today: A Colorful Tales Family Story Time will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. This is the last session of the series.

Today: The free summer children’s playground program sponsored by Natrona Comes Together Association will offer a program, “Smelly Science” with Mad Science of Pittsburgh 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.

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 a program, “Make Delicious Edible Food Art,” 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.

Thursday: The free summer children’s playground program sponsored by Natrona Comes Together Association will have a program, “Nature Games,” with the Allegheny Land Trust at noon at the Natrona pavilion, 10 River Ave. Details: natronacomestogetherassociation.org.

Thursday and Friday: Allegheny Valley Hospital Auxiliary will sell tickets for a back-to-school lottery basket raffle from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the hospital main lobby, 1301 Carlisle St. The winner will receive $100 in Pennsylvania Lottery scratch-off tickets and a backpack filled with $75 worth of school supplies. Cost: $2, cash or checks made payable to auxiliary accepted. The drawing will be at 3 p.m. Friday. Proceeds will benefit auxiliary projects for the hospital.

Saturday : 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.

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.

Kiski Township 

Aug. 4: An American Red Cross community blood drive will be from 12:30 to 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Boiling Springs Presbyterian Church, 1668 Route 56. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and search for the code BSPC.

Leechburg   

Wednesday: Holy Innocents Anglican Church, 366 Third St., will have a lasagna dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. in the church social hall. Menu: lasagna, salad, bread and dessert, $12. Dine in or takeout. A portion of proceeds will benefit local outreach programs. Takeout orders: 724-845-6165 after 1 p.m. Wednesday.

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.

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.

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

Through Wednesday: 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.

Today: Peoples Library will sponsor a free program, “Dance the Story,” with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre at 1:30 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter St. Children can see a costume from the ballet, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and dance with a teaching artist. No reservations required. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday: The chess club for children will meet at 4 p.m. at Peoples Library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

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: Wednesday. Details: NKMoose53@gmail.com.

New Kensington

Wednesday: Peoples Library will sponsor two programs by the Carnegie Science Center digital planetarium at the library, 880 Barnes St. An introduction to astronomy program, “One World, One Sky,” with Elmo will be at 1 p.m. “Moons of the Solar System“ will be presented at 2 p.m. Details: 724-339-1021.

Wednesday: 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: 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 Grace Community Presbyterian Church. 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.

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

Today: 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.

Tarentum   

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

Today: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will sponsor Color Splash Story Time in the Park at noon near the water park in Riverview Memorial Park, First Avenue. This is the last session of the series. Details: alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

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.

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

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

West Deer  

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.

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.