Connellsville kicks off holiday weekend with a variety of activities
Brad Geyer (left) and Clayton Gregg made a spectacle of themselves as they manned the craft entered by the Connellsville Lions Club.
Shawn Grist (left), Tim Hough (center) and Randy Heinbaugh pilot New Haven Hose Company's entry in the Anything That Floats contest. Their craft was equipped with a secret weapon
?CONNELLSVILLE 鈥� Music, river activities, contests and a variety of other activites drew dozens to the downtown and Yough River Park Saturday.
鈥淲e鈥檝e have a really good turnout,鈥� said Elisa Mayes, Trail Town Outreach Corps (TTOC) manager, of the first Farmers and Artists Market held along Meadow Lane.
Fresh vegetables, baked goods, herbs, flowers, business coupons and other items were offered by the participants.
The market will continue each Saturday through Sept. 3 from 8?a.m. to noon.
At Yough River Park, dozens of onlookers cheered on those taking part in the city蘑菇视频 sprint triathlon.
A cannon shot over the river signaled the start of a 300 yard swim that was followed by a 10-mile bike ride and three mile run.
Afterwards, onlookers gathered on the shoreline to watch the New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Co. and the Connellsville Lions Club exhibit their talents in boat construction.
The New Haven entry delighted youngsters with its mini-pump that sprayed water on them from the river.
New Haven fire Chief Bob Topper credited firefighter Randy Heinbaugh for the riverboat creation.
鈥淗e蘑菇视频 our engineer, designer and admiral,鈥� said Topper.
With only two submissions for the 鈥榓nything that floats contest,鈥� the fire department entry awaited the Lions Club boat being commanded by Councilman Brad Geyer.
Topper said the firemen were hoping to engage the Lions crew in a race down the river. However, the match did not take place.
Connellsville Mayor Charles Matthews acknowledged that less than hoped for participants had turned out. However, dozens of local residents and visitors were drawn to the park.
鈥淚 think everything went well,鈥� he said as rafts, canoes and other watercrafts were launched into the river. 鈥淭he intention of these events is to get more people into the park.
鈥淭his is a great park and we have a great opportunity with the river. We need to do a better job at promoting these events.鈥�
Tom Karpiak, councilman and event organizer, said that the committee received numerous compliments about the triathlon course.
鈥淲e have the perfect venue for the triathlon,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e had one guy from Colorado take part and he said he鈥檇 be back next year.鈥�
The evening concluded with the return of the musical group 鈥淧unch.鈥�
Activities will continue today with a free concert at Lions Square featuring local musician Ben Haines. The concert will begin at 7?p.m.
The Lions Club refreshment stand will be open and the Connellsville Area Chamber of Commerce will offer sno-cones, root beer floats and cotton candy for purchase.
Lions Square is located on West Crawford Avenue.
At dusk, the chamber will sponsor a fireworks display.