Crowd flocks to first Mon Valley Fun Fest

By Matt Petras

For the MV Independent

The Mon Valley Fun Fest, sponsored by the Salvation Army in Monessen, was filled with food, vendors and live entertainment and was the first of its kind for the organization, according to Capt. Sue Thwaite. 

The event took place Saturday at Palmer Park in Donora. 

“It started with the stage, and then we grew from the stage to a vendor show, and from that to food trucks, to touch-a-truck, to the car show,” Thwaite said. “So it just kept growing. It started really small and became large.” 

The event ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and stretched roughly from the tennis courts to the playground. It included a free food section for children, performances from DJ Fletch, Wild World of Animals, Dance Loft and Betsy’s Dance Studio and a wide-ranging selection of vendors who sold bath bombs, artwork, Pokemon cards and much more. 

The Salvation Army drew dozens of people for its event from all around the area. 

“Even though we’re the Monessen Salvation Army, we service the Mid-Mon Valley,” Thwaite said. “The park here, with COVID still being in the area, this is such a big space we can spread out and everyone can be safe. And we just like coming out into other communities.” 

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