Penn Township community gathers for food, music, fun
PENN TWP — Long-haired musicians, Boy Scouts, young parents, senior citizens, emergency responders and many others enjoyed a day celebrating their community under Saturday's sunny skies.
The 11th annual Penn Township Community Day was held at the new Harcrest Park for the second year.
Each attendee received a ticket for one of the 44 raffle baskets, which included items and gift cards from township and other businesses.
Free hot dogs, hamburgers and watermelon were provided by Hunter Truck Sales, corn on the cob by Freedom Farms, bottled water by Fugh Refrigeration and dilly bars by Dairy Queen.
Food was enjoyed by neighbors in the park's picnic shelter or on one of the many memorial benches in the area of the event.
“The cooking was done by the Nixon United Methodist Church's Methodist Men group,” said 30-year township supervisor Sam Ward.
He said prior to the township taking over the Community Day, Nixon U.M. sponsored the event at the church on Airport Road.
Ward said the new park affords a better Community Day and introduces residents who have never been to the large park to its playground, picnic shelter, pavilion, walking trails and restrooms.
He said due to the generosity of the township's businesses — which donate not only raffle basket items, but also cash to cover the bounce house, dunk tank and other expenses — everything at Community Day remains free to those who attend.
Melissa Heagy, a township resident, chairman of the Community Day committee and 2008 Knoch High School graduate, said the 2018 Community Day drew about 420 people.
Booths on Saturday included churches, a veterinarian, a chiropractor, a real estate office, the Penn Valley Athletic Club, Penn Glade Lions Club and the county Redevelopment Authority, among others.
“It's a good way for residents to connect with our businesses,” Heagy said.
Heagy said as the parent of a young daughter, she also enjoys Community Day.
“It's a good opportunity to meet other families with young children,” she said.
One of those families visiting the park on Saturday was Christine Sutej and her son, Adam, 3, and daughter Caitlyn, 17.“We were here last year too,” Christine Sutej said. “There are a lot of nice things for the kids, like the bouncy house and treats.”She also enjoys perusing the vendors to see which businesses are in the township.Caitlyn enjoyed the live music played by two of her Knoch High classmates at the beginning of Community Day. Bands switched out each hour, so live music was available all day.“They're amazing,” she said of her friends' musical prowess. “I love supporting them because I think they're really talented.”Caitlyn appreciates the efforts of Heagy's committee as well as township officials for putting on the event.“I think it's really cool,” Caitlyn said. “There are different things to do, and you get to meet the people of the area.”Dale and Carol Wood, who are 50-year residents, came to support the event. Both enjoy living in Penn Township, they said.“It's a rural atmosphere, but it's convenient,” said Dale Wood.“It's near Cranberry (Township), which has everything, but it's still rural,” Carol Wood added.Dale Wood also appreciates the controlled growth that has occurred since he moved to the township a half-century ago.Jennifer Fennell, a 21-year township resident, exercises by running the trails in the park, which is adjacent to her home on Brownsdale Road.On Saturday, she was accompanied by her family and Ella, her family's fluffy Wheaton terrier-standard poodle mix.“I like to support our community,” Fennell said.She also appreciates the opportunity to meet and greet neighbors and friends old and new at the event, which inspires a sense of community.“It's something that has gotten lost over the years, and it's important,” Fennell said.
