Harmony rings in 2015 with 5K, early fireworks
HARMONY — “Family friendly” and “German” were among the ways people described the borough's unique New Year's Eve celebration.
Wednesday marked the eighth annual Silvester Celebration when hundreds welcomed in 2015, a few hours earlier than most other communities in the United States.
At 6 p.m. the crowd assembled in Harmony Square watched a ball drop followed by fireworks. The event celebrates the New Year at midnight in Germany, which is six hours earlier than Eastern Standard Time here in the U.S.
Many of the attendees came from out of town and brought their children.
Justin Gradich of Hempfield, Westmoreland County, said it was his first time coming to Harmony for Silvester, but thought it would be a good way to celebrate the New Year with his young children.
“It's something that sounded family friendly, early in the night, with fireworks and German, what's not to like?” he said.
Many of the attractions celebrated the borough's German heritage, including the tradition of Bleigiessen.
Visitors to the Harmony Museum's Wagner House annex watched melted lead pour into water to cool and solidify into a keepsake.
“It pours down into a bucket of water and forms a random shape that tells what your future will bring,” said Kaylie Chiamardas, 9, of Cranberry Township, who took part in the tradition for the first time.
German fare included pork and sauerkraut and there were screenings of the comedy sketch “Dinner for One,” which is traditionally shown in Germany for the New Year, in Harmony Museum's 1809 wine cellar.
Tom Crane of Franklin Park, Allegheny County, said he brought his family mainly for the ball drop and fireworks.
“It's a pretty happening place, and a good turnout for the weather,” Crane said.
The day kicked off with the Silvester 5K race and one-mile fun run.
More than 500 people registered for the race with 470 finishing, said parks board Chairman Susie Altemus. About 60 people also participated in the fun run.The top three overall finishers in the race were Tyler Palenchak, Dan Carlino and Ben English.Greg Mussitsch of Venetia, Washington County, said it was his third time running in the race.There aren't many 5K races around the region during the winter and the one in Harmony is usually the only option for New Year's Eve, he said.“It's a great town and a nice course, a little challenging, and well run,” he said.The event is one of Harmony's biggest draws every year, said council member Greg Such.The proceeds go to benefit the borough's parks board, which oversees four parks and a nature trail and plans events such as concerts during the summer and the Independence Day fireworks display, Such said.
