Thrills, tunes and sunshine kick off Cranberry Township’s Community Days
CRANBERRY TWP — Eager to soak in the sights and take a spin on the multitude of carnival rides, Sean McCann and his family made it a point to be among the first through the gates at the township’s premier summer celebration.
“I can tell you, it’s crazy busy on the weekends, so that’s why we’re coming on a Thursday night,” he said with a laugh, while patiently waiting in line for the giant slide. “We’ve been bringing our son Carter for four years, and he seems to love it and forced us to come out tonight.”
The McCanns were among hundreds who poured into the township’s Community Park on Thursday, July 10, to kick off Community Days — a three-day celebration hosted by the newly renamed Cranberry Foundation (formerly Cranberry Township Community Chest).
First-day activities included the 16th Annual Cruisin’ Cranberry Car Show and Rotary Craft Ale & Vine Garden. In the midst of that were carnival games, vendors and live music.
Over the decades, the event has grown along with the township, evolving into a reflection of Cranberry Township’s vibrant community
Frank Jansen, and longtime friends Paul Jackson and Carl Kriebel, annually participate in the opening ceremony as members of Cranberry Township Veterans of Foreign Wars.
As a township resident for 26 years, Jansen can recall when the Route 228 corridor was just beginning to take shape. Looking at what the township has become, he says returning to Community Days each year is a tradition he gladly welcomes.
“We’re just thankful that they give us the opportunity since we are the local VFW,” he said. “We’re happy to do anything we can up here in Cranberry.”
Diana Aya is originally from Cranberry, but later moved to Evans City with her growing family. After consistently attending for about a decade, she said the upgrades are notable, especially the carnival rides.
“The rides are a lot better,” she said. “There used to be dinkier rides, but I really like that they’ve added more fun rides for older kids and adults. Also, the vendors and activities for kids have really expanded, so it’s a lot more fun for them.”
The event has also started to attract families from all over Western Pennsylvania, including Reona Colaizzi, who traveled from Monroeville with her son, Jackson, to experience the carnival rides for the first time.
“This is probably the fourth fair that we’ve been to this year, and this is definitely the nicest one,” she said.
Community Days will continue with all-day activities on Friday and Saturday. The event will conclude with a Pyrotecnico Fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. Saturday.
