Charleroi officials applaud revived Community Days

By Taylor Brown
tbrown@yourmvi.com

While Charleroi’s annual Community Days celebration was smaller than usual, it went off with a bang over the weekend and brought families and neighbors together.
Vendors, crafters and families began to enjoy the weekend Friday as booths set up in Chamber Plaza.
It marked the first community celebration in more than a year after activities took a virtual approach last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the borough had a handful of vendors and performers cancel because of a lack of volunteers, other groups stepped in to make sure the entertainment line-up was packed full.
Council President Mark Alterici said while the event was scaled back, it was still successful.
Charleroi’s celebration coincided with a neighboring celebration in Monongahela, but officials in the Magic City did not feel right comparing their celebration with their neighbors.
“I don’t want to compare,” Alterici said. “Our community day was smaller than usual, but it was still a success. Comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges, so I don’t want to do that. It was a nice event.”
Council Vice President Jerry Jericho said he thinks the fireworks show was just as impressive as it had been in past years.
Additionally, a dedication was held for Marine Sgt. Mitchell Paige, whose service in the Solomon Islands during World War II in 1942 earned him the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration.
In addition to Paige, other World War II veterans were introduced and recognized by Alterici, which he said was one of his favorite moments of the weekend.
“It was truly an honor for me,” Alterici said. “It was a really special part of the weekend and I can’t say enough about the Charleroi American Legion Riders who were able to put together such a nice memorial for Sgt. Paige.”

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