Jeannette — a city that once was home to seven glass plants — will celebrate its industrial heritage with a special festival that will feature food, entertainment, games and children’s activities in the city’s downtown business district Saturday.
The Glass City Heritage Festival, to be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. along the 400 block-to-600 block of Clay Avenue, has evolved from the Ethnic Food and Fall Festival that had been held for several years, said Carol Babish, festival organizer.
Babish is president of the Jeannette Business Association, which is sponsoring the event. The event was not held last year because of the covid pandemic, Babish said.
Several local churches and local restaurants will sell a variety of food in booths along the street, Babish said. Crafters and vendors will be selling their goods, as well.
The Jeannette police department will have a demonstration with Sgt. James Phillips and police dog Arees at 11 a.m., Babish said. The city’s fire department will have some of its vehicles at the festival.
There will be about 80 pumpkins available for children to paint, Babish said. There will be face painting for the children, and artists will draw free caricatures.
Music lovers will be entertained with a special children’s performance by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra at 1 p.m. at the amphitheater along Clay Avenue, Babish said.
For a far different style of music, the festival will feature Jeff Alexander, performing under the stage name of Kepi Ghoulie, at 3:15 p.m. He was a singer with California’s pop punk band Groovie Ghoulies.
The Knights of Columbus in Jeannette will use the festival as an the opportunity to help those in need.
They will be providing free coats to children and adults, Babish said.
With flu season approaching, medical personnel will be on hand to give free flu shots, Babish said.
For more information, contact Babish at 724-523-2853.
