Zelie looks ahead
ZELIENOPLE — The celebration of the 175th anniversary of the incorporation of the borough was a time to learn about the past and to look to the future.
A parade on Main Street and a fireworks show Saturday capped a nearly weeklong series of events that celebrated the occasion.
Mayor Tom Oliverio said Saturday that the activities were well received by the community and benefited from good weather.
“Everybody loved it. I haven't heard one complaint,” he said.
The parade featured more than 60 entries starting with horse-led carriages and historic re-enactors, before moving to classic cars, tractors, community groups and emergency responders.
Florence Gross, a lifetime resident of the Harmony-Zelienople area, came to see the parade and said the celebration was a good way for more people to learn about Zelienople's history.
“I think it's wonderful. We should do things like this so people are aware of our heritage,” Gross said.
Jim Shearer of Prospect said he likes to come to Zelienople, which has several special events throughout the year.
“There's a lot of places that don't have the activities they've got down here to keep the town as vibrant as it is,” Shearer said.
Nicole Eaton said she grew up in Zelienople and moved back with her family about eight years ago, something that others have done, too.
“Some of the people I went to school with are coming back and trying to start businesses here,” Eaton said.
The plans to reopen the Kaufman House and improve Main Street, plus events like the 175th celebration bode well for the future, she said.
“The sense of community is definitely coming back,” she said.
Jessica White of Zelienople said she likes living in the borough and has been learning more about its history.
“I grew up in Connecticut and it's very historic there, so I love learning the history of the town. I think it's very cool,” she said.
Other events included a donkey softball game Tuesday, a concert by the Johnny Burgh Band Wednesday, a program at Passavant Retirement Community and a concert at the Community Park Amphitheater Thursday and a dinner at St. Gregory Catholic Church on Friday.The events were planned by a volunteer committee spearheaded by Oliverio, who said he wanted to plan a celebration similar to the one he was involved with for the borough's 150th celebration.The committee also sponsored a scholarship contest and a commemorative book with a short history of Zelienople.“The history, that's the important thing. Years from now people can look back at that book and remember what happened,” Oliverio said.When asked about the 200th anniversary, Oliverio said he would be 101 years old then, but that other community members would plan a celebration.“I'm sure they will have something. It will just be different people doing it,” the mayor said.
