FORD CITY — Armstrong County residents are encouraging their neighbors from Butler County to attend its Labor Day Extravaganza, starting Thursday.

The opening ceremonies will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday on the Renaissance Stage with Lawrence Woods from the Heinz History Center speaking on the history and impact of glass in Western Pennsylvania and the role of Ford City.

The event will feature a daily carnival from 5 to 10 p.m. by Thomas Family Amusements along with food, drink and craft vendors on Third Avenue.

It will be the first large carnival since the 1970s, according to Craig Klukan, parade chairman of the Ford City Renaissance Community Partnership.

The first Ford City Glass Expo and auction will take place on Ford Street.

Klukan said having a glass display will give the weekend a nostalgic feeling in addition to the fun.

In 1887, John Baptiste Ford founded Ford City with glass in mind.

“PPG at one time employed nearly 5,000 people, I believe,” Klukan said.

He said the town was affected by the economic problems that affected much of the country in the 1980s and 1990s.

In 1993, PPG closed its Ford City factory, and other companies that kept the town booming left shortly after. “It was the heart of Ford City for a long time,” he said.

Mixing with daily events at the extravaganza will be special events each day.

After the opening ceremonies Thursday, a disc jockey will throw a kid-oriented foam party.

Friday will be highlighted with a 1920s-themed wine and chocolate tasting at the 10th Street Station, and at 7 p.m. the Merrow Band will perform, featuring Kittanning native Molly Cavanaugh.

The 10th Street Station will be the spot for another special event Saturday with an indoor craft show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A pet parade will take place from noon to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by more kid-oriented events. The night will close out with Sourmash performing at 7:30 p.m.

The final day of the extravaganza, Sunday, will have another revival for Ford City.

According to Barb and Paul Klukan, co-chairmen of the partnership, “The revivals of the Labor Day Parade from the 1950s and the carnival from the 1970s hold a special significance to the Renaissance Committee's mission with time-honored traditions and the creation of special childhood memories for new generations to cherish.”

The parade will begin at 5 p.m. with Iceburgh, the Pittsburgh Penguin's mascot, in the lead as the parade marshal, followed by the Steeline, the official drum line of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Anyone interested is encouraged to follow the parade after it passes them, marching in honor of a parent or grandparent who was a glass, pottery or other Armstrong worker, according to event organizers.

The parade also will coincide with a car show in Ford City Borough Park.

The extravaganza will be punctuated by a performance by Bon Journey, a Bon Jovi and Journey cover band.

Craig Klukan said the weekend was designed to be family friendly and inviting to anyone who wants to have a good time on Labor Day weekend, including residents of other counties, for this year and in the future.

“(I hope) they make it a part of their family's Labor Day traditions,” he said.