Fun At McKeesport’s Riverfront Festival

Terrell Payne, of McKeesport, and his son Mitchell Payne, age 13, try kayaking for the first time on the Youghiogheny River during the City of McKeesport’s first Riverfront Festival on Saturday at Gergely Riverfront Park. The kayaks were provided for free by Venture Outdoors. In addition to free kayaking, attendees danced to live music by the Val Vazquez Jazz Ensemble and the Bill Henry Band or relaxed in their folding chairs along the river. The event also featured a restful “Lazy Float” and “Anything That Floats” competition. WUTA Catering, Marva Jo’s Soul Food and JT’s Pop-Up Catering offered a variety of fare for sale, and beer was available for purchase from North Huntingdon-based Quinn Brewing Company. The event was made possible with support from McKeesport Mayor Tom Maglicco, state Rep. Dan Goughnour and UPMC McKeesport. Additional support was provided by The Marina at McKees Point, McKees Point Development Group, the McKeesport Trail Commission, Age Friendly Greater Pittsburgh, Venture Outdoors and Mon Valley Arts. Riverfront Festival will return to Gergely Riverfront Park next summer. Photograph and content by Jennifer McCalla / McKeesport Community Newsroom

Terrell Payne, of McKeesport, and his son Mitchell Payne, age 13, try kayaking for the first time on the Youghiogheny River during the City of McKeesport’s first Riverfront Festival on Saturday at Gergely Riverfront Park. The kayaks were provided for free by Venture Outdoors. In addition to free kayaking, attendees danced to live music by the Val Vazquez Jazz Ensemble and the Bill Henry Band or relaxed in their folding chairs along the river. The event also featured a restful “Lazy Float” and “Anything That Floats” competition. WUTA Catering, Marva Jo’s Soul Food and JT’s Pop-Up Catering offered a variety of fare for sale, and beer was available for purchase from North Huntingdon-based Quinn Brewing Company. The event was made possible with support from McKeesport Mayor Tom Maglicco, state Rep. Dan Goughnour and UPMC McKeesport. Additional support was provided by The Marina at McKees Point, McKees Point Development Group, the McKeesport Trail Commission, Age Friendly Greater Pittsburgh, Venture Outdoors and Mon Valley Arts. Riverfront Festival will return to Gergely Riverfront Park next summer. Photograph and content by Jennifer McCalla / McKeesport Community Newsroom