Jayce McGowan, 6, and his grandfather, Pat Keeley, swing and spin in the teacup ride Thursday at Cranberry Township Community Days. The fair runs through Saturday.

CRANBERRY TWP — Scores of area residents braved the rain and humidity to attend the opening evening of the 2021 iteration of Cranberry Township Community Days.

The longstanding event, which took a 2020 hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returned in full force this year, with the opening night featuring the grand opening of the Rotary Amphitheater, children singing and, of course, rides and food booths.

“It's so exciting to see people out and about,” said Dick Hadley. “Even though, because of the rain, it's a small crowd, you can feel the excitement, the enthusiasm.”

Hadley, who serves as chairman of the township board of supervisors, said he's glad to see the event back and still large following its growth over the past decades.

“It used to be a few food booths and all-star baseball games, and now it's really blossomed into a community event,” he said.

And for many community members, it's a welcome sign that normalcy is on its way back. Dana Smith, who's attended the event since he moved to the township 21 years ago, said he's happy to see Community Days back on and has no worries.

“I'm glad it's happening,” he said, noting Community Days was the first event he attended when he moved to Cranberry. “I'm vaccinated; most people should be.”

Traci Gruber, whose daughter, Morgan, sang the National Anthem at the amphitheater's opening, said the return of Community Days — and the fun and festivities it brings — is a welcome change of pace from the events of the past year and a half.

“We've all been stuck at home, and it's awesome to be out and about,” Gruber said.

And while the 12th Annual Cruisin' Cranberry Car Show was canceled and rescheduled for Sept. 18, Community Days continues Friday and Saturday.