30 Years of Crafton Celebrates

     "You meet the nicest people in Crafton Park." We'd like to take a few moments to recall the history of the organization, what is meant to the community, and what's in store for the Festival's Next Edition.

     In 1975, Council created the Crafton Bicentennial Committee to plan local festivities for the biggest patriotic holiday of the century, our country's 200th birthday. All over the United States, many communities were having similar celebrations. In the first event staged by what we now call "Crafton Celebrates", (or more simply, "Celebrates") the Committee, chaired by Councilwoman Elsie Merriman, threw a big bash in Crafton Park. The festival was a huge undertaking, requiring the efforts and skills of many Borough residents. The (then) eight-day, Sunday-to-Sunday party in the Park, overflowed to the Athletic Field. The official program from that year declared Crafton "A Bicentennial Community."

     That original festival featured not only the food booths and stage shows that are now tradition at Celebrates, but for the first time in many years, a horse show was held within the Borough. The parade that first year lasted more than three hours on an extremely warm day. Bands, fire trucks, antique cars, horses, buggies and of course, local politicians all participated. The parade route stretched from the top of Bradford Avenue, up Noble Avenue, left on Steuben Street and ended at the Park.

     The Bicentennial Committee also sponsored a 5K Run, a tennis tournament, and commissioned a mural project for the underpass. Those murals were a long lasting reminder of the Bicentennial Spirit until covered during the Busway construction.

     The original Bicentennial Committee was such a success that everyone decided, "Let's do it again!" That second year was a milestone; the Celebrates Committee received it's go-ahead from the Borough, but more importantly generated a wave of enthusiasm and momentum which convinced all involved that the Celebration could be sustained as an annual event. It was a 30-year success that took a break in 2006.

     During the early years, Celebrates rented festival booths from St. James in the West End. It wasn't until 1982 that the Committee allotted funds to invest in new booth construction, adding a permanency to the festival. Live entertainment has always drawn large crowds for Celebrates, with Harold Betters, U.S. Steel Homestead Choir, Tamburitzans, and The Imports being among the favorites over the years.

     Celebrates also serves the community at other times of the year. The Halloween Parade evolved into a Haunted House. For several years, a popular winter gathering was the Christmas Tree Bonfire. Everyone circled the flaming trees, singing Christmas carols and drinking hot chocolate from the Salvation Army truck. Every spring, a visit from the Easter Bunny is part of the Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Celebrates has sponsored this popular event for over 20 years.

     Since the beginning, literally thousands have participated in one way or another, making Celebrates an annual five-day reunion in the Borough. Crafton Celebrates thanks all those who have marched in the parade, worked in a booth, or shown the world their talents on stage. The Committee sincerely thanks the Crafton Police, Council, Fire Department and Borough Crews for playing vital roles in making Celebrates a special time of year in Crafton. Without these folks, Celebrates could not exist.

     Sadly, there was no Celebrates in 2006. As with all things that depend on cooperation and community involvement, there is an achille's heel.  In Celebrate's case it was the petty ego of a single individual who placed their own personal agenda above the much wider goals of the community.  Rather than cause needless expense to the community, from a threatened lawsuit, Celebrates unanimously declared a moratorium.  The situation looked grim.

     Through the efforts of many of you, the Fireworks were salvaged for 2006 and Celebrates will soon be Resurrected for 2007 and beyond!  We thank you ALL for your past and future contributions.