Kylie Lavelle of Mars and Odessa Long of Fombell stretch before their tae kwon do demonstration Thursday during the start of Cranberry Community Days.

CRANBERRY TWP — Scores of children and their families came out to the Cranberry Community Park on Thursday evening to play games, eat food and ride one of the host of carnival rides.

Thursday evening kicked off the first day of Community Days, sponsored by the Cranberry Township Community Chest.

After a deluge of rain on Wednesday, Thursday's sunny skies and cooler temperatures left the park grounds a little damp, but it was evident with all the smiles that people were happy to be out for the evening and they set up their lawn chairs in anticipation of the musical acts that were to perform at the amphitheater.

Community Days continues today and Saturday with a variety of activities and events including the carnival, musical entertainment, food, games, a pancake breakfast, and a 5K run/walk. It will close Saturday night with the annual fireworks display.

Jeffrey Boren of Rochester, Beaver County, was checking out the sweet rides at the car cruise, which is a tradition at Community Days.

“It's a great car cruise because it's a little bit smaller, and you get a chance to actually talk to the owners of the cars,” said Boren, who grew up in Cranberry and has been attending Community Days for at least two decades.

“It's (Community Days) clean. It's a nice setting and it's fun. I never had any problems here,” he said. “I love it. It's one of the greatest things about Cranberry.”He's also a little sentimental about the Community Park because when he was working to become an Eagle Scout, he built the footbridge that crosses over the little brook that runs through the park.Friends Mandy Krupa of Portersville, Nicole Pounds of New Castle and Katie Chadwick of Hermitage were all making their first trek to Community Days.“It's very nice. I like the way it's laid out. There's a lot of space. It's very well organized,” said Krupa.All three were admiring the “tree blankets” — an art form called yarn bombing — where the trunks of trees are decorated with knitted materials depicting things such as the American Flag, the Pittsburgh Steelers or others with a spiritual meaning.Yarn bombing is a type of street art that creates colorful displays using knitted or crocheted yarn rather that paint or chalk.Pounds said it's nice to see all the groups and business come out to support the event and to show what they do for the community.“And with all the bad weather we had, we enjoy being able to get out,” added Chadwick.For a schedule of remaining events, go to www.ctcchest.org or www.cranberrytownship.org.<BR></BR>

All three were admiring the “tree blankets” — an art form called yarn bombing — where the trunks of trees are decorated with knitted materials depicting things such as the American Flag, the Pittsburgh Steelers or others with a spiritual meaning.Yarn bombing is a type of street art that creates colorful displays using knitted or crocheted yarn rather that paint or chalk.Pounds said it's nice to see all the groups and business come out to support the event and to show what they do for the community.“And with all the bad weather we had, we enjoy being able to get out,” added Chadwick.For a schedule of remaining events, go to www.ctcchest.org or www.cranberrytownship.org.<BR></BR><BR></BR><BR></BR>

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Alex Pryzbylek, 6, of Cranberry tries to win a prize in the ball toss.

The crowd mingles under the setting sun Thursday atCommunity Days in Cranberry Township. The festivalcontinues today and Saturday, culminating with fireworks.

Drew Vlasnik, 11, of Cranberry Township looks for targets as he drives his bumper car Thursday during Community Days activities in Cranberry Community Park.