South Connellsville continues to celebrate centennial
9-year-old Julie Butler of Bullskin races down the course of the South Connellsville Soap Box Derby contest held in conjunction with the closing day of the South Connellsville Centennial festivities on Saturday.
12-year old-Brandon Quinlan of South Connellsville out races his competition and heads to the finish line in the Soap Box Derby during the final day of the South Connellsville Centennial festival on Saturday.
SOUTH CONNELLSVILLE 鈥� The celebration of the borough蘑菇视频 centennial anniversary brought together family, friends and neighbors Saturday to take part in several activities, despite the intermittent rain showers.
鈥淚t has been a really good week,鈥� said centennial committee member Donna Fosbrink as work began to set up for a car show along South Pittsburgh.
For nearly two years, the 30-member-plus committee had been planning for the weeklong celebration to commemorate the founding of South Connellsville Borough, said Fosbrink, who was born and raised in the small community.
鈥淚t is a very nice place to live,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he people are great here; we are a family.鈥�
Although it took much work, Fosbrink said that the residents, along with neighboring communities and former residents, had supported the planned activities that included a parade, princess contest, concerts and other activities.
鈥淭he (South Connellsville Volunteer Fire Dept.) extended its yearly carnival from just a few days to the full week,鈥� said Fosbrink. 鈥淓veryone has come together to help make this happen.鈥�
The morning kicked off with a Soap Box Derby with 17 contestants vying for top honors.
Three categories of cars allowed the more experienced driver to compete and those just starting to be involved with the sport to try their hand at the downhill course.
鈥淭his is a great activity for kids,鈥� said Jim Ruggieri as he watched the youngsters navigate the course.
It was Cassidi Butler, 10, of Bullskin Township who took top honors in the official soap box car category.
Butler admitted that she was 鈥渁 little scared鈥� when first introduced to the car. However, after a few practice runs, she began to feel more comfortable at the wheel.
Longtime businessman Jack Hann, one of the many race sponsors, watched the youngsters.
While some historic records credit William G. Crilley with winning the first Connellsville Soap Box Derby in 1956, borough Mayor Pete Casini said it is Hann who should be recognized for his winning efforts in 1952.
鈥�(Hann) was really the first winner of a derby,鈥� said Casini.
Hann said that he, along with a few friends, constructed the winning derby car.
鈥淚t was our winter project in the basement of the house,鈥� he said.
The 1952 derby was held in late October with neighborhoods throughout Connellsville competing for first prize. As in Saturday蘑菇视频 event, the course was along South Pittsburgh Street.
Each driver, said Hann, was permitted to have a 鈥減usher鈥� for a certain distance and then it was all up to the person behind the wheel.
鈥淲e whooped everybody,鈥� said Hann.
The top prize of $7 was divided among the three friends.
鈥淚t was a lot of money back then,鈥� said Hann. 鈥淢ilky Ways were only three cents.鈥�
Other winners in Saturday蘑菇视频 race included Hunter Reich and Kaylie Fryer in the official soap box car category; Seth Kish, Jacob Rock and Cole Bryner in the cub car competition; and Maria Ruggieri and Chase Soltis in the custom car category.
Others participants included Meredith Lint, Brandon Quinlan, Austin Etling, Julia Butler, Alex Bozek, Josh Krumanacker, Andrew Gregor and George Stash IV.
Today, the community is invited to a 2 p.m. picnic at the borough playground. Participants are asked to bring a covered dish.
At 7 p.m., the fire department will host a wrestling match at the playground if the weather permits.
鈥淓veryone is welcome to come and help us celebrate,鈥� said Fosbrink.