Good Neighbor Day returns to bring McKeesport together
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
McKeesporters proved Wednesday that it really is a good feeling to be a good neighbor.
That’s because this year marked the 57th time residents and those who work in McKeesport have answered the city’s call to “be a good neighbor” by converging on Fifth Avenue in the downtown business district for Good Neighbor Day.
It’s a June tradition in the Tube City, but the event had to be nixed last year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The street-fair-style event made its triumphant return Wednesday as McKeesporters took some time to get to know their neighbors.
Around 50 vendors — including McKeesport businesses, crafters, nonprofit and service organizations, churches, educational entities and more — lined Fifth Avenue during the fair and offered informative pamphlets and handouts, sold food, clothes, jewelry, decorations art and other wares; played games and made arts and crafts with children, adults and families who came for the festivities were full of laughs and smiles as they got to participate in more than 15 different kids activity in the children’s zone. They were given free sunglasses, got to have their faces painted and received free books as well as toys and sweet treats. Kids also got to pet farm animals at a petting zoo provided in cooperation with the Mon River Fleet Lions Club, the McKeesport PartnerSHIP, the AIU McKeesport Family Centers and others. Youngsters jumped in bounce houses, showed off their agility on an inflatable obstacle course, got to take a stroll through a Candy Land-themed obstacle course and more.
There was also live musical entertainment from Valentino and The Avengers.
A big hit at the event was the McKeesport Community Newsroom’s “selfie wall,” which was created through a partnership with the Point Park University program and the city’s public works department. It is a large wall that is painted with chalkboard paint. McKeesport neighbors were asked to stop, use a piece of chalk to answer the prompt “I love McKeesport because …” and then take a selfie in front of it.
Student photographers from the community newsroom also took portraits of people standing in front of the wall, which drew written responses like “I love McKeesport because this town is coming back,” and “I love McKeesport because we stick together.”
The city’s mayor enjoyed himself Wednesday.
“We had one of the largest turnouts we’ve had — as far as vendors — over the last several years,” Mayor Michael Cherepko said. “Everyone who participated today really believes in our vision of working together for a better McKeesport.”
“This is great,” Cherepko said as he looked out over a large crowd. “When you go through a year of what we had to go through, and then to be able to get back to some semblance of normalcy, it’s wonderful. Everyone is so happy to be here. It’s just so nice to be outside with everyone.”
The goal of the event is to showcase what McKeesport’s nonprofits, social clubs and other organizations have to offer, Cherepko said.
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