North Huntingdon 250th birthday group seeking budget for celebration

Like Westmoreland County, North Huntingdon will be 250 years old this year, and while the birthday will be marked with celebrations, the size and scope of the events are up in the air until a budget is hammered out.

The community’s parks and recreation advisory board have met twice to discuss possible events, but members say their task is difficult without knowing how much money the township is willing to spend.

The celebration is expected to kick off on the April 6 anniversary date, but “it’s very challenging to do so (plan events) without a structure and guidelines” said Carley Painter, a member of the parks and recreation board. “We need direction, specifically from the township for a budget.”

“This is a monumental task,” said Dan Miller, parks and recreation director. “There’s a lot of things to be shuffled to produce a recognition” of the 250th anniversary.

The township, however, can’t arrive at a budget figure without knowing the scope of the celebration, said Commissioner Rich Gray.

“Maybe we should know that before we set a budget,” Gray said.

Commissioner Ronald Zona said the township should give the advisory board some sort of estimated budget.

A two- or three-day celebration is being planned in late summer, before the resumption of classes for the next school year, Painter said.

But, in addition to the bigger celebration, Painter said the board wants to hold some kind of “emotional, heartfelt event” on April 6 followed by “smaller, strategic events.” The five-member advisory board also discussed opening a time capsule that was buried in township.

The date of April 6, 1773, marks the creation of Huntingdon Township, said Carl Huszar, president of the Norwin Historical Society. It was not until after the end of the American Revolution,that the large Huntingdon Township was split in 1790 into North, South and East Huntingdon, Huszar said.

North Huntingdon has earmarked $75,000 in 2023 for activities sponsored by parks and recreation, but $25,000 of that amount is allocated for a father-daughter dance, said Harry Faulk, township manager. Some of the remaining $50,000 could be used to secure vendors for the celebration event in August and then they “can always make the adjustments.”

The manager said he would provide the commissioners with budget revisions in March and financial adjustments could be made then to the recreation budget.

Painter said they don’t want to be in the position of taking money away from existing activities residents are anticipating to pay for the 250th anniversary events.

“What do you want to take off the chopping block without additional money?” Painter asked. “What additional money are you going to give us?”

Faulk was directed to meet with Miller to discuss whether the department could give the advisory board an estimate of what money might be available for the anniversary-related events.