Events, activities well-attended
MUDDY CREEK TWP — Glistening attendees at the 2021 Moraine State Park Regatta on Saturday smiled under a sunny sky as they searched for the yummiest lunch or dinner choice, perused shiny muscle cars, took a kayak lesson, played kids games, observed a campfire cooking demonstration, or stopped at the booth of a local business.
The annual regatta, which was canceled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, ran Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday at Moraine State Park's North Shore.
Little children delighted in riding the barrel train while those not so tolerant of the August heat sat under one of the many tent pavilions.
Matt and Nicole Newingham of McCandless Township, Allegheny County, brought their young son and daughter to the regatta Saturday.
“The kids like the sailboats, fishing and the train ride,” Nicole said.
“Who got a fish?” Matt asked his tots.
“Daddy did!” they both cried in unison.
Nicole said the regatta gets people out to experience and enjoy Moraine State Park.
“And it brings people together,” Matt said.
Chance and Alex Cella, ages 9 and 12, respectively, traveled from Irwin, Westmoreland County, with their parents to enjoy the regatta Saturday.“I get free stuff, and I get to eat French fries,” Chance said of his favorite parts of the event.He displayed his bag of loot, which contained plastic cups, pens, band-aids, stickers and other freebies.Alex, who said the family kayaks, fishes and swims at Moraine State Park, also enjoyed the regatta.“It's pretty good,” he said. “The games are fun and the food is good.”Ryan Poremski, 8, of Pittsburgh, came to the regatta with his twin siblings, Michela and Chase, 6; their grandmother, Maria Poremski of Slippery Rock Township; and their uncle, Derek Moore, also of Slippery Rock Township.Ryan and his siblings munched on a shaved ice to cool down.“I did the hula hoops, saw the cars at the car show and played cornhole,” he said.Michela recalled her birthday party at Moraine State Park a few years back.She shared her very favorite feature of the large park.“The concession stand,” Michela said with a giggle.Maria Poremski said the family missed coming to the regatta last year.“I'm glad to see it up and running this year,” she said. “It's good to see the crowds.”Amanda Becker, regatta event director, was thrilled with the weather and the turnout for the event.She said the first 5K Sunken Garden Trail Race was held Friday evening, with 70 runners.Proceeds from the race will benefit the Moraine Preservation Fund, which is the park's support organization.Fireworks were scheduled for Saturday night and a full slate of activities were planned for the regatta Sunday.
