The Stroller, June 3, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

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Saltsburg Canal Days weekend kicks off Friday

The 39th annual Saltsburg Historic Canal Days Festival will be Friday through Sunday in the borough Canal Park.

Hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. There will be concerts, carnival food, crafters, vendors and games. Saturday’s schedule includes a parade at noon, a performance by the band Sour Mash from 7 to 10 p.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m.

Those attending are encouraged to park for free and ride the shuttle. Shuttle hours are 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Stops include River Hall, the middle/high school, the corner of Cathedral and Washington streets, the Salt Center on Walnut Street, Saltsburg playground and the corner of Salt and Point streets.

Kiski River Sweep cleanup planned Saturday

Volunteers are needed to participate Saturday in the Kiski River Sweep cleanup.

Participants should meet at 9 a.m. at the pull off at River’s Edge Canoe and Kayak, 3158 River Road, Gilpin. Boats will be provided for all volunteers. The event will begin in North Apollo and work downstream to Leechburg.

Calendar

Apollo

Today: Apollo Area Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. in WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. New members welcome.

June 12: Table reservations are being accepted for a vendor fair planned for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parish center at St. James Parish, 109 Owens View Ave. Cost: $15; with electricity, $20. Face masks required. Details: Linda, 724-882-8776

Arnold

Saturday: Arnold Volunteer Engine Co. will sponsor a drag queen bingo at 2 p.m. in the Arnold No. 2 Training and Social Hall, 1702 Fifth Ave. Doors open at noon. Cost: $30; $35 at the door, includes eight regular games and there will be specials and extra packets. The kitchen will be open from noon to 2 p.m. BYOB. Must be at least 21 years old. Tickets: 724-335-3850

Saturday: Homemade doughnuts will be sold from 6 to 10 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1721 Victoria Ave. Orders: 724-335-0101

Saturday: Arnold United Methodist Church, 1801 Leishman Ave., will host an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the church. Menu: choice of plain, blueberry, pecan and chocolate chip pancakes or french toast, sausage and drink. Dine in or take out. Cost: $7.50; 12 and younger, $5. Details: 724-339-2377

Brackenridge

Today: Bingo will be hosted by the American Legion at 7:15 p.m. at the post, 845 First Ave.

East Vandergrift 

Saturday and Sunday: A rummage sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and noon to 1 p.m. Sunday in the basement of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 420 McKinley Ave. Face masks required.

Freeport

Today: Freeport Renaissance Association will meet at 7 p.m. at the Riverside Park gazebo. Everyone welcome.

Saturday and Wednesday: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday. Cash only. Donations must be laundered and free from pet hair. Details: 724-295-3095

Gilpin

Today: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Harrison

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.

June 11 : St. Joseph High School is conducting an online basket raffle as part of the annual Spartan Scramble golf outing. Prizes include an autographed helmet by Pittsburgh Steeler Devin Bush, class baskets, special coaching sessions and more. Visit sjhs.basketraffle.org to view prizes and buy tickets. Details: Jennifer MacNeil, 724-226-8043 or jmacneil@stjosephhs.com. Proceeds help to keep tuition affordable.

June 11: St. Joseph High School is conducting a $20,000 Super Raffle. Cost: $100 per ticket. Prizes include a $20,000 grand prize, three $1,000 runner-up prizes. Winner need not be present. Only 500 tickets will be sold. Tickets: 724-226-7877. Proceeds help to keep tuition affordable for students at the school.

Kiski Township

Today: Kiski Township Planning Commission will meet at 6 p.m. at the municipal building, 1222 Old State Road.

Tuesday : An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from 12:30 to 6 p.m. at Kiski Township Volunteer Fire Hall, 1037 Route 56. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code KiskiTwpVFD

Kittanning

Saturday: Armstrong County Historical Museum will host a free exhibit and demonstrations of antique engines and equipment from noon to 4 p.m. at the museum, 300 N. McKean St. Museum tours will be available. Free parking is available along Vine and McKean streets and in the back of museum via the North Grant Avenue entrance.

Leechburg

Today: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, 118 First St. Please note the new time. Basic computer skills and face masks required. Ancestry.com and Newspaper.com are available. Sanitizing stations will be available. Details: Judy, 724-681-9154

Today: A New Path Al-Anon Family Group, a free, confidential program for anyone whose life has been affected by someone else’s drinking, will meet at 7 p.m. in First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St. Face masks and social distancing required.

June 13: The Elks will host a vendor bingo at 1 p.m. in the lodge ballroom, 228 Market St. Doors open at noon. There will be a 50/50 raffle, small games of chance, food and a silent auction. Must be at least 18 to attend. Cost: $20. Tickets: Ruth, 724-422-4913 or the lodge, 724-842-8071

Lower Burrell

Saturday: Lower Burrell Flyers Football will host a food truck festival from noon to 6 p.m. at the field, Route 56.

Saturday: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will feature John Melnick from 8 to 11 p.m. at the post. Members and three guests welcome.

June 19: Applications are being accepted for an outdoor flea market set for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 3084 Leechburg Road. Cost: $15 for a 10-foot space. Details: summerfestival@comcast.net

New Kensington

Today: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open with new selections. Social distancing will be observed, and masks are required except when eating. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403

Today: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go dinners from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. This week’s meals are sponsored by St. George Church. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while waiting in line.

Saturday: Knead Community Café will host an Herbal Affair Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the café, 1011 Barnes St. Vendors will sell handcrafted and natural-based herbal soaps, lotions, balms, teas and condiments, and flowers and plants. The café will be open for breakfast from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Proceeds will support the café’s mission to feed all regardless of means.

Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Mondays and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. The closet offers clothing for all members of the family, uniforms for students at Mary Queen of Apostles School, shoes, purses, household items, linens and blankets. First-time customers receive 15 free items. Donations accepted during open hours only. Take a free chance on a basket raffle monthly.

Plum

Today: Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at the firehall, 415 Old Abers Creek Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Details and other new safety policies: holidayparkvfd.org/ under the weekly bingo tab.

Friday: Holy Family Parish will host Food Truck Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the upper parking lot of St. John the Baptist Church, 444 St. John St. The featured truck will be Hibachi Lou. A portion of proceeds will benefit the parish and school.

Saltsburg

Friday and Saturday: Saltsburg Herbal Society, 105 Point St., will sell unusual and hard-to-find herbs, annuals and perennials from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Details, questions and advance orders: 724-989-2578

Tarentum

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The church will host a presentation with Monarch Hospice Care of Lower Burrell at 1 p.m. about free Medicare hospice benefits. Lunch will be served at noon. Reservations recommended, but not required. Reservations: 724-224-9220

Vandergrift 

Today: Vandergrift Council will hold a special meeting at 3:15 p.m. in council chambers of the borough building, 109 Grant Ave., regarding a personnel issue.

Today: The Farmers Market will be open from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Columbia Avenue parking lot. Details: vandergriftfarmersmarket.weebly.com/

Saturday: A flea market and craft sale will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the field at the intersection of Longfellow Street and Route 56. The Firemen’s Lunch box will sell food. Hosted by Vandergrift Volunteer Fire Department No. 2. Vendor information: 724-594-6799 or 724-205-8005

Washington Township

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

West Deer

Today and Friday: St. Michael Church, Curtisville, will sponsor a flea market from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the church, Liberty Street. Items will include collectibles, books and plants. Details: 724-265-1005

Friday: West Deer Parks and Recreation department will host a free movie in the Bairdford Park pavilion. Popcorn and water will be provided. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on. Reservations required. Reservations: Jodi, 724-265-3680 or jfrench@westdeertownship.com

June 10: West Deer Township will host a community blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. in the meeting room of the township building, 109 East Union Road. Appointments recommended. All donations are tested for covid-19 antibodies for free. Appointments: 412-209-7000 or click on the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code C5300094