The Big Twist gives children one last summer celebration before school starts

The Big Twist bash included backpack giveaways, raffles, prizes, games and ice cream.

With students in the Rostraver Township and Elizabeth Township areas heading back to school this week, one business marked the end of summer vacation Monday.

The Big Twist ice cream shop welcomed kids from all over for a Back to School Bash from 3 to 9 p.m.

Located on the border of Elizabeth Township and Sutersville at 2101 Douglas Run Road, the shop usually hosts a Car Cruise every Monday. The event took place in the parking lot between Big Twist and Big E’s Restaurant, which is owned by Joe “Big” Eori, who acquired the property after selling his business, Big’s Sanitation, in September.

Eori said he wanted to do something to give back to the community, and to encourage kids “to stay in school and become something of their lives.”

“We always want to promote kids to enjoy school and go to school,” Eori said. “It was phenomenal. We are going to do it next year, and we’ll continue to do stuff for this community. It was great. I want to promote these kids to stay in school, to enjoy themselves and have fun. That is coming from a guy that stayed one day in ninth grade. If I can do it, and these kids stay in school, they can do it.”

Six bikes were raffled off at the event, and there were giveaways of around 200 free backpacks, prizes for kids to pick from if they spun a wheel, an inflatable course, games, a 50/50 raffle, an action, face painting, a DJ and more.

Sponsors included West Newton’s Moose Lodge 31, Mama Peppino’s and Letterio Distributing as well as Angel’s Babies Daycare & Preschool, Elizabeth’s Township Sportsmen Association, Still River Designs, Speney Sales & Service Inc., Sutersville Moose Lodge 1358, High on the Hog and Allegheny Intermediate Unit.

The bike raffle and backpack/school supplies donations were from Prowaste LLC in Westmoreland County.

There were also various food trucks, including Pappy’s BBQ, Station 189 BBQ, Liquid Vibes Coffee Truck, Cousin Maine Lobster as well soft serve ice cream — including twist cones, milkshakes and sundaes — from Big Twist that parents and kids alike enjoyed.

Rostraver Central Fire Department, Blaine Hill Volunteer Fire Company of Elizabeth were in attendance for kids to explore the fire trucks, as well as Elizabeth Township and Rostraver Township police.

Rostraver’s Fire Department posted a picture of its truck on Facebook and thanked Big Twist for inviting them.

Tori Childers, who brought her kids to the event, said it was a “great idea,” and they really enjoyed it.

“This was such a nice event,” Brit Tany commented on Facebook after her son won a backpack. “You made a lot of little kids very happy!”

Avah Randolph, 16, of Blythedale in Elizabeth Township, is a Big Twist staff member who helped to sell raffle tickets.

“I have lived here my whole life, and I used to be here when it used to be the Yough Twister. I used to want to work here when I was little, and it closed for a while, so I got upset,” Randolph said. “As soon as I got older, it opened back up and I applied. I have been here since it opened, and it’s really good. I love it. I have two jobs, and this one is definitely my favorite. It’s really fun. I know anytime I have a shift here, I’m excited.

“(The event has) been really good. We do car shows all the time, so I enjoy the games and stuff like that. It’s fun for the kids. These events are really fun to do.”

Randolph brought along her sister Emma, 7, also of Blythedale, who also enjoyed the event and got a free backpack.

Ronna Hayden, Big Twist’s general manager, said since the location was bought two years ago, closed down, remodeled and opened again, the business wanted to support the community during its first season open. She also had her kids at the event.

“Honestly, we have gotten so much support from the community, and I wanted to give back especially for the kids,” Hayden said. “This is what we do for the kids. I was trying to figure out the best way to do it, and I figured, throw them a back to school party.

“I just want to say thank you back to our community who has supported us since we opened back up. And I went with a whim and I’m just trying to run with it.”