Brownsville Ducky Race Part of Mon's History

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23

Can't Duck the Facts: Aug. 4 Race

Part of Mon's History

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. – Putting the spirit of the 1930s-era late comic Joe Penner's famous line, "Wanna buy a duck," to practical use, Brownsville's annual Ducky Race has transitioned from a simple fund raiser to a highly anticipated event – and the only one of its type on the Monongahela River.

Come Aug. 4, Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. will mark its fourth annual Ducky Race, which was patterned after hundreds of other races worldwide and fine-tuned locally to establish a fund raiser that the community could embrace.

"We wanted to use our existing resources … the wharf, Inter-County Bridge and the water," recalls Tracy Zivkovich, a member of BARC and Brownsville Borough Council. "And, we wanted to establish something that would be fun for all ages."

Zivkovich, who also chairs the Blueprint Communities Committee, decided after the first year to ratchet up the interest by adding a community festival, which is co-sponsored with the borough and BARC.

A plan emerged to pencil the two events on the first Saturday after Kennywood Days, which traditionally takes place on the first Thursday in August. The timing was viewed as logistically ideal because former residents from all corners of the world are home that week to spend time with families and friends at reunions, Kennywood and other special events.  Brownsville's Kennywood Days is marking its 99th consecutive year.

The one-eighth mile Ducky Race course takes about an hour to set up, a task that belongs to Zivkovich's husband, Mickey, and son, Christopher. Floating rope and floating pool noodles are laid V-shaped in the river from the Inter-County Bridge to the boat slips at Brownsville Riverside Wharf. The first three ducks to reach the end are the winners. The same panel of honorary judges has served each year: Brownsville Mayor Lester Ward and council members Charlie Perkins and Ross Swords.

"People were really amazed when we did it," Zivkovich recalls. "The best part for me is seeing everyone there, jockeying for position on the wharf for an event that, at times, could last only 10 or 15 minutes."

Despite the seeming ease of the event, BARC members start selling tickets about three weeks in advance and preparing for the 3:30 p.m. race day drop of hundreds of yellow rubber ducks into the Mon. Each duck sports a number that corresponds to a ticket.  Ducky Race tickets will be available at the festival or can be purchased in advance at BARC's office in the Flatiron Building, 69 Market St.

Making an appearance for the third year are corporate ducks, which has hyped interest and competition
among local businesses. Last year, 12 corporate ducks were all decked out for the event.  To date, sponsorships have been secured by Lee's Plumbing & Excavating Inc. of Uniontown, Monongahela Valley Hospital, PNC Bank, Local 286 of the Construction & General Laborers Union, Fayette Podiatry Associates, Rohland Patt & Rohland of Brownsville, Grindstone Foodland, Sheehan's Automotive & Machines Inc. of Brownsville.

"I've not seen corporate ducks any place else," says Zivkovich, who credits her years of fund-raising involvement with triggering the idea. "People love to gamble. It created some competition and another opportunity."

The annual Ducky Race requires approvals from the Pennsylvania Fish & Game Commission and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. And as the committee has learned through the years, the current can be optimized by closing the Maxwell locks and opening the Charleroi pool.

Because BARC's Ducky Race is the only one on the Mon, it has etched Brownsville into the history books of rubber duck races worldwide. The first race in the U.S. was held in 1991 in Aspen, Colo., and the largest remains Pennsylvania's neighbor to the West, Cincinnati, where the Rubber Duck Regatta last year topped 100,000 ducks after 18 years of building momentum.

BARC's second year – 2009 – still holds the local record: 850 yellow rubber ducks.  "I'd like to sell all 1,000 ducks," Zivkovich says. "That would be really great."

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To schedule an interview:
Tracy Zivkovich, 724-785-5761


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 The mission of the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation is to achieve economic development through historic preservation, heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, community stewardship, education, youth advancement and the arts. Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation is a 501 (c)(3))

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Brownsville Annual Community Festival and Ducky Race

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              
July 5

Brownsville Community Festival, Ducky Race Organizers Unveil Aug. 4 Line-up

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. – Drawing on a strong sense of community spirit, elected officials, civic leaders and local business people are expanding the offerings at this year's Brownsville Community Festival and Ducky Race, slated for Aug. 4.

"It's growing every year," says Jack Lawver, Brownsville Borough council president. "We've had more support this year from the community than ever before to keep this going and make it a success."

It is the third year for the community festival and fourth for the Ducky Race, which started as a fund raiser for the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. and then blossomed the following year into a much larger event with the borough and Blueprint Communities Committee joining in as co-sponsors.

The staging ground is the downtown's historic Snowdon Square for the majority of activities. The Ducky Race, as is customary, will be held at Brownsville Riverside Wharf, where hundreds of yellow ducks are dropped from the Inter-County Bridge. The first three ducks to float across the finish line will win a weekend in Pittsburgh, $200 Dick's Sporting Goods gift card or a stack of gift cards valued at $100. The ducks are now on sale for $5 each at BARC's office, located at 69 Market St., and can be purchased at the festival prior to the 3:30 p.m. race.

Throughout the day, Snowdon Square will be bustling with activity as community organizations come together along with a diverse mix of vendors, musical performances and free children's activities, including face painting. Additional activities will be held at the Market Street Academy & Performing Arts Center, one of the anchors for the downtown business district. This year's community festival will conclude with a free Music on the Mon show from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the square.

"This is a community effort to bring everyone together and build community spirit," says Brownsville Mayor Lester Ward.

The community festival has become the grand finale to a week of homecomings for alumni, family gatherings and the Brownsville Firemen's Community Picnic at Kennywood Park, which is marking its 99th year Aug. 2. The Brownsville picnic holds the distinction of being the second longest running event in the park's history.

Brownsville's Aug. 4 events kick off with the 17th annual Falcon 5K at Brownsville Area High School. On-site registration opens at 7 a.m.; the race gets under way at 9 a.m. Trophies will be awarded to the overall top three male and female walkers and runners of the 12 age categories. To register in advance at a discounted fee, contact Ed Gursky of Brownsville or Tricia Rohlf at the high school before July 29. Proceeds benefit the Brownsville Cross Country Boosters.

Following the Falcon 5K, the activity swings downtown. Vendors will open booths at 11 a.m.  A community parade is scheduled to start at noon, featuring local fire trucks and emergency vehicles from at least 20 companies. The route will wind down Market Street, circle around town and stop near Snowdon Square. Also participating will be BASD's marching band, dance troupes, cheerleading squads, 5K runners and winners and a festive array of costumed characters. A panel of judges will select winners for a variety of trophies, including the best decorated fire truck.

To participate as a vendor or join in the parade, contact the mayor's office at 724-785-3363.

Aug. 4's tentative schedule is:
9 a.m. to 11 a.m. – 5K Race at Brownsville Area High School
11 a.m. – Booths open for business in Snowdon Square
Noon – Community parade
1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Entertainment begins on the main stage.
2 p.m. – Parade winners will be announced.
2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. – Entertainment, main stage
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Ducky Race, wharf
4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Entertainment, main stage
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Music on the Mon

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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

BARC Celebrates La Dolce Vita with 10th Anniversary Taste of Italy

La Dolce Vita: BARC Celebrates

Taste of Italy's 10th Anniversary

Nearly 20 winemakers will participate in the Oct. 15 event

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. – Nearly 20 regional winemakers will compete Oct. 15 at the 10th annual Taste of Italy, one of the longest-running fund raisers for the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. (BARC)

Tickets go on sale Sept. 1. As in years past, the Taste of Italy will be held in the Brownsville Sons of Italy, Frank Ricco Lodge 731, at 16 Race St., beginning at 7 p.m.

The evening features wine tastings, the gift of a customized wine glass and hors d'oeuvres plus the opportunity to participate in the balloting for the People's Choice Award or as the competitors call it, the "Last Box Charlie" award, which honors the late Charlie Britvich, one of five competitors who launched the event for BARC. Competing still today are Dick Quarzo, John Chan, Rich Dascenzo, Dr. Alan Sally and Britvich's children.

The longevity of the Taste of Italy has amazed winemakers and BARC members alike. "We have a core group of winemakers and they keep it going. We could never do this without them – they give away their wine," says Caroline Fecek, chairwoman of the event from 2001-10 and a key committee member for the Taste of Italy's 10th anniversary.

By the event's third year, Fecek says the Taste of Italy started to draw significantly larger crowds and more winemakers, including competitors from Pittsburgh. "Word of mouth" publicity brought 220 people last year to Brownsville for the annual affair. This year's goal is to draw a sell-out crowd to the 250-seat Sons of Italy hall, which was recently renovated as part of a major expansion project.

"There is good-natured competition among our winemakers. They want to keep it light so we do," Fecek says. "Every year, I'm humbled by the help we get from the winemakers, volunteers and sponsors."

Several sponsors are already on board, with more on the way, to show their support for the milestone year. To date, BARC has secured sponsorships from Brownsville Marine Products, Community Foundation of Fayette County, Nemacolin Wooflands Pet Resort & Spa and Woodlands Animal Care Center, Lunden's Flower Shop and Brownsville Ambulance Service. The wine glass sponsor is Carmichaels Golf Club.

Trophies will be awarded to winemakers for sweet and dry wines in the following categories: made from grapes crushed by the vintner; bought juice, including buckets; kits; and grapes mixed with other fruits. Six judges will award trophies during the event. Also highlighting the evening is the traditional auction of a basketful of wine – private labels from participating winemakers. Conducting the sale will be professional auctioneer, Fred Peters of Brownsville.

"My expectation is to continue what Caroline has built," says Norma Ryan, BARC director and the 2011 chairwoman of the Taste of Italy. "Having grown up with a family that made wine, it's very touching and special that these winemakers are keeping the tradition alive."

Taste of Italy tickets are $35 each prior to Oct. 1 and $40 afterward or at the door. Tickets are available by contacting BARC's office at 724-785-9331. The office, located in the Flatiron Building, 69 Market St., Brownsville, is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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For additional information or schedule an interview:

Norma Ryan, 724-785-9387

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Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. (BARC) is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to achieve economic development through historic preservation, heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, community stewardship, education, youth advancements and the arts. Contact the BARC office, 724.785.9331, for additional information about programs and upcoming events.

Mon Ducky Race Prizes Announced

3rd Annual Mon Ducky Race

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. - The time has come for the Mon Ducky Race, August 6 at 3:30 p.m., held at the Brownsville Riverside Wharf. The Mon Ducky Race, hosted by the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. (BARC), will be held in conjunction with the Brownsville Annual Community Festival.

To participate in the Mon Ducky Race, one must purchase a numbered $5 ticket. Purchases can be made directly from Rt. 40 Classic Diner, Fayette Podiatry, Pixel's Restaurant, the BARC office at 69 Market St. in Brownsville, at any BARC-sponsored events including Music on the Mon and the Brownsville Farmers Market, during the Brownsville Annual Community Festival at the BARC membership booth or by calling 724-785-9331.

There will be approximately 1,000 ducks dropped off the Inter-County Bridge into the Monongahela River and racing up to the Brownsville Riverside Wharf. Prizes will be given to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 'lame' ducks.

Prizes:

1st- A weekend in Pittsburgh including lodging, dinner, and a gas card

2nd- A $250 gift certificate to Dick's Sporting Goods

3rd- One $25 gift card to Route 40 Classic Diner, one $25 gift card to TJ Enterprises, and two tickets to the Brownsville Drive-in

4th- One $25 gift card to Wal-Mart

'Lame Duck'- A BARC gift basket

BARC is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve economic development through historic preservation, heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, community stewardship, education, youth advancement and the arts.

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For additional information or arrange interviews:

Dennis Cremonese, 724.785.9331

Brownsville Community Festival and Mon Ducky Race August 6

Brownsville Annual Community Festival and Mon Ducky Race Announces Schedule

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. - The Brownsville Borough and the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. (BARC) are joining forces once more to host the Brownsville Annual Community Festival and Mon Ducky Race August 6, starting at 11 a.m. The festival will be held in downtown Brownsville and the Brownsville Riverside Wharf.

The schedule for the festival is as follows:

11:00 AM- Parade

11:30 AM- Rotary Talent Show

12:30 PM - Brownsville Area High School Cheerleaders

1:00 PM- Dee Dee's Dance Studio

2:00 PM- Terry Sheehan School of Dance

3:30 PM- The Mon Ducky Race

4:00 PM- Nancy McKeen Bluz Machine

5:00 PM- Car Show Awards

All day activities include carnival games, a petting zoo, a car show, a bounce house, food and craft vendors and a dunk tank. This year's dunk tank will give Brownsville the opportunity to dunk Charlie Perkins (Brownsville Borough Council), Rocky Brashear (BASD director), Andy Dorsey (BASD director), Jason Novak (local business owner), Troy Rice (Redstone Police Officer), Mike Mucy (constable), and John Brant (police officer).


BARC is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve economic development through historic preservation, heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, community stewardship, education, youth advancement and the arts.

Brownsville Annual Community Festival Lineup Announced

Brownsville Annual Community Festival Lineup

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. - The Brownsville Borough and the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. (BARC) would like to put a 'final call' out to any organizations or businesses interested in renting vendor space at this year's Brownsville Annual Community Festival. We'd also like to remind all the classic car owners in the area to contact Charlie Perkins (724-970-7462) to enter their vehicles in the festival's annual classic car show. The festivities will be held August 6, starting at 10 a.m., in downtown Brownsville. Vendor space is $25.00 plus $5.00 for electricity (if needed).

Please contact BARC before July 15th to ensure your organization (or your classic car) a place in this year's festival!

BARC is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve economic development through historic preservation, heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, community stewardship, education, youth advancement and the arts.
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Brownsville Celebrates the 4th in Style with Music and Fireworks

GREATER BROWNSVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


For immediate release:

June 27, 2011

Brownsville Civic Leaders Expand

Independence Day Celebration

11 bands, vocalists will perform at the July 3 fireworks display

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. – Building on more than 20 consecutive years of past successes, the Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce is expanding its community fireworks display to include a mix of musical performances until dusk as a prelude for the July 3 pyrotechnics display.

The free festivities begin at 6 p.m. at Patsy Hillman Park, off High Street. "We're trying to get the crowd to come in a little bit earlier this year by offering entertainment," says Frank R. Ricco, president of the Greater Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Ten bands and vocalists from the Brownsville Rotary Club's fourth annual talent show will perform until 7:30 p.m., when they turn over the stage to the Mon Valley Community Band.

The chamber's July 4 fireworks display historically draws nearly 2,000 people to the 452-acre park. This year, as in the past, the pyrotechnics show will be produced by Keystone Fireworks of Dunbar, Pa., and funded by the chamber. Also participating is the Hiller Volunteer Fire Co.'s Ladies Auxiliary, which will be selling refreshments at the concession stand to support future activities.

In keeping with past tradition, the Brownsville Rotary Club will host a free bounce house, underwritten by a local manufacturer, Senoj Enterprises. Eadi Zetty, the 2011-12 president of the local rotary, said the bounce house activity, like the fireworks, builds memories for families.

"We are concerned our children are growing up without a lot of the memories that we cherish," Zetty explains. "We want to give our children good things to recall about growing up in Brownsville."
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For additional information or interview:

Frank R. Ricco, chamber president, 724-785-3600

Brownsville Market Street Arts Festival Features Musical Debut, Regional Groups

Market Street Arts Festival Featuring

Musical Debut, Regional Groups

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. (May 9, 2011) – Steeped in history framed by 19th century churches, Brownsville Borough will be the setting for the premiere of "A Note in Time," a glimpse into the powerful impact of music from the 1700s to the modern era.

The premiere, free and open to the public, gets under way at 2 p.m. May 22 in Christ Church, 305 Church St., on the final day of the Market Street Arts Festival in Brownsville. The weekend of activities is emerging as a regional destination for this year's milestone celebration of the 200th anniversary of the National Road, with Brownsville as the only riverfront community along Pennsylvania's 90-mile stretch of the historic highway.

"A Note in Time" features a 10-member cast of local and professional musicians who will lead the audience on a journey through time narrated by one of Brownsville's most influential settlers, Jacob Bowman, as portrayed by Mark Kovscek, senior vice president of New York-based Converseon Inc. and a 16-year Brownsville resident.

Bowman was a member of the 1813 Vestry, an assembly of influential settlers who formed Christ Church, which was rebuilt in 1857 on the site of the original structure constructed in 1821 and subsequently gutted by fire. As one of Brownsville's most notable settlers, Bowman is credited with jump-starting the town's development by establishing a trading post in 1789 – now the popular tourist attraction, the 22-room Nemacolin Castle, which boasts a Bishop's bedroom reserved solely for venerable leaders of the church.

"Their whole community was the connection between churches and the arts, creating a really strong sense of purpose and identity coupled with the struggles of a pioneer town," Kovscek says. "When we look at those structures, in our eyes, it's just a church, but it's an expression of faith and sacrifice. You see that in the different elements of the various churches."

The one-hour premiere will feature organ and harpsichord selections from the 18th century, arranged by Christ Church's minister of music, Jerry Gearhart of Belle Vernon, and Kovscek's father-in-law. The cast includes students from the Market Street Academy & Performing Arts Center in downtown Brownsville. Making a special appearance will be P.T. Barnum's "Swedish Nightingale," Jenny Lind, portrayed by accomplished historical actress and singer, Emily Lapisardi, as a prelude to a 4 p.m. show with her troupe to mark the 160th anniversary of the 19th century singer's Brownsville performance. Period attire

'Note in Time' will be provided by Rue de la Paix Reproductions.

Market Street Arts Festival activities will be held May 20-22 on the historic North Side, downtown, wharf and South Side. www.marketstreetartsfest.com and www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Market-Street-Arts-Festival-Brownsville-PA/216386531709752. As part of the North Side activities, a walking tour of the churches will be featured. Some historic churches, including Christ Church, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. May 21 for inside tours. Kovscek's 14-year-old daughter, Hannah, has created a children's activity book to support the walking tour and detailing the churches' histories. The activity book will be given away as long as the supply lasts at Nemacolin Castle and the festival's information booth in the downtown.

In the spotlight will be Christ Church, 305 Church St., (Anglican, 1821); St. Ellien's Antiochian Orthodox Church, 500 Spring St., (1918); St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 300 Shaffner Ave. (1845); Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, Baltimore Street, (1928); First United Methodist Church, 215 Church St., (1861); Calvin United Presbyterian Church, 307 Spring St., (1876); and St. Nicholas Byzantine Church, 302 3rd Ave., (1911).

The Market Street Arts Festival's weekend of family-oriented fun will include:

■ Demonstrations by artisans with wares for sale

■ Archaeological dig at the site of 1860s riverboat captain's house

■ 18th century Living History encampment at Nemacolin Castle (May 20 and 21, ghost tours from

6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and May 20-22, regular tours from noon to 5 p.m.)

■ 19th century encampment at Thompson House & Restaurant on the South Side

■ Artists of the Pike exhibit, Frank L. Melega Art Museum, 69 Market St.

■ Free concerts in the downtown and at the wharf, strolling musicians

■ Vintage photography exhibit, Rose Mansion, 320 Market St.

■ Special exhibits in local galleries, Transportation Museum and Heritage Center

■ Writers of the Pike book signings on both sides of the Monongahela River

■ Children's eco-activity area

■ Chuck wagon-style food court

■ Activities at Paci's historic stagecoach stop, 384 Old National Pike, West Brownsville, including the grand opening of the Paranormal Museum and a special airing of Biography Channel's "My Ghost Story" documentary spotlighting the historic site.
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'NOTE IN TIME' CONTACTS:

Mark Kovscek, 724-208-1962

Emily Lapisardi, 412-404-7035



MARKET STREET ARTS FESTIVAL CONTACT:

Fred Lapisardi, 724-880-3801

Market Street Arts Festival Slated for National Road Festival in Brownsville

April 21, 2011


Market Street Arts Festival: Where Art, History, Heritage Meet as One


BROWNSVILLE, Pa. – The Market Street Arts Festival is emerging as a regional destination for the May 20-22 National Road celebration, building on its past as the only riverfront community along Pennsylvania's 90-mile stretch of historic highway.

As an 18th and 19th century commercial hub, Brownsville's streets will again come alive with arts, history and music as the focal point for activities on the historic North and South sides, downtown Market Street and wharf. The Market Street Arts Festival revives Brownsville's once active participation in the annual National Road Festival and highlights the community's significance as a historic crossroads for river, road and rail in America's Westward Expansion.

"The Market Street Arts Festival is an important first step in our vision to create a Pennsylvania 'Chautauqua' as part of Brownsville's rebuilding process," says Dr. Fred Lapisardi, chairman of the festival's operating committee and local businessman. "As our plans evolved, it became evident the arts festival was gaining momentum as a regional destination for the numerous groups seeking a different type of venue to participate in the National Road Festival."

The first annual Market Street Arts Festival kicks off May 20 with a ceremony feting writers and artists at the award-winning preservation project, Thompson House Restaurant & Tavern. The next two days – May 21 and 22 – will bring together a wide variety of artists, musicians, exhibitors and specialty food vendors set against a backdrop of special events and an archaeological dig at the site of an 1860s steamboat captain's house.

Both days will feature art exhibits by Dr. R. Scott Lloyd, "Artists on the River" of select works from art majors at California University of Pennsylvania; weekend reception and unveiling of the "2011 Artist of the Pike: Art Educators" at the Frank L. Melega Art Museum; and the public's first chance to go inside the historic Rose Mansion (built in 1872 as the Monongahela Bank) and a "sneak peek" of select photography from a 1,140-piece donation to Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp.

Sunday's lineup will be highlighted by the recreation of the historic visit to Brownsville by Jenny Lind, P.T. Barnum's 19th century Swedish Nightingale, as portrayed by Emily Lapisardi, www.historicalimpersonations.com, and "A Note in Time," a musical and historical perspective created by Mark Kovscek as a festival premiere.

Appearing for the first time in Fayette County and only the second time outside Pittsburgh will be Green Gears Pedi-cabs, which will transport festival-goers in the downtown and South Side as an integral part of the Market Street Arts Festival's green initiative. Transportation on the North Side, including rides to the downtown area, will be provided by Brownsville Bus Lines Inc.

Moving across the Mon, the Market Street Arts Festival is supporting activities at Paci's stagecoach stop, built in 1822, and surrounding businesses. The weekend kicks off the opening of the Paranormal Museum, featuring the Biography Channel's film of Paci's "Ghost Story," which first aired in August 2010.

Other highlights of the Market Streets Arts Festival will be:

■ the opportunity to participate in an archaeological dig at the corner of Bank and Prospect streets in the downtown or learn more in classes at the Brownsville Library – sponsored by the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology Mon/Yough Chapter

■ 18th century encampment and tours at Nemacolin Castle

■ 19th century encampment and artillery display at the Thompson House Restaurant & Tavern, where the staff will be dressed in Colonial garb

■ plein air artists at several locations

■ historic church tours

■ book signings by local, regional and national authors at several locations

■ concerts by Outpost, Mr. Hand, Mad Hats, 2 Edged Sword and others

■ strolling musicians, including professional bagpiper, David Olson

■ chuck wagon-style food court with traditional and ethnic cuisines
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BARC Announces Brownsville Annual Community Festival Agenda

For Immediate Release:
August 3, 2010

BARC Announces Brownsville Annual Community Festival Agenda

Summer is nearing quickly, but it isn’t over yet. Start gathering your friends and family for one of Brownsville’s most exciting events of the summer! The Mayor of Brownsville, Borough Council, and the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation (BARC) have just recently confirmed the agenda for the Brownsville Annual Community Festival. This fun-filled day will take place on Saturday, August 7th in downtown Brownsville between the Flatiron Building on Market Street and Fiddle’s Diner on Water Street.

Times and activities are as follows: car show check-in and parade lineup will begin at 9:30AM on Spring Street/North Side, community parade on Market St. at 10:30AM, scuba diving exhibition from 12:30-1PM at the Riverside Wharf, 2nd Annual Mon Ducky Race at 1:30PM (ducks will be sold up until 1:15PM), trophies will be awarded for car show at 2:00PM, a live concert by “Refuge” from 2-4PM will conclude the day’s festivities.

Due to the community parade, multiple streets will be blocked off throughout downtown Brownsville including: Albany Rd., Brown St., Brownsville Ave., Bank St., Spring St., and Market St. Traffic will be diverted on the corner of High St. and Angle St. The parade is set to run from 10:30-11AM. Once the parade concludes, several streets will then be accessible.

Following the parade, all vehicles participating in the car show will then be directed to the corresponding parking lot. Upon entering the lot, coupons for a free ice cream sundae at the Route 40 Classic Diner will be distributed to the first 100 cars who submitted their registration forms for the car show. Don’t wait! To register your vehicle for this show, please contact Charlie Perkins at 724-984-0303. As a token of appreciation, each participating vehicle will receive a car dash plaque for their memorabilia. Musical entertainment will be provided by DJ Manny Show for this car event.

In its first year, the Brownsville Annual Community Festival is a collaborative effort between the Mayor of Brownsville, Borough Council and BARC. BARC is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve economic development through historic preservation, heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, community stewardship, education, youth advancement and the arts. In effort to continue further community involvement, the North Side Fire Hall will be welcoming everyone to attend their upcoming ‘Open House’ event in August to celebrate their 100th anniversary. For more information regarding this event, please contact the Brownsville Borough Office at 724-785-5761.

For more information on how to reserve a booth or help volunteer for the community festival, contact the BARC Office at 724-785-9331 or contact the Mayor’s office at 724-785-3363.

Contact: Colleen Schmidt Phone: 724.785.9331
ACCWT Watershed Summer Associate Fax: 724.785.8626
E-mail: barcinfo@barcpa.org

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Brownsville Annual Community Festival and Mon Ducky Race

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Colleen Schmidt Phone: 724.785.9331


ACCWT Watershed Summer Associate Fax: 724.785.8626

E-mail: barcinfo@barcpa.org

Inviting Everyone to Attend the Brownsville Annual Community Festival and Mon Ducky Race

The summer fun has just begun. To ensure this summer will be filled with family fun and entertainment the Mayor of Brownsville, Borough Council, and the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation (BARC) have joined forces to host the Brownsville Annual Community Festival and Mon Ducky Race. This fun-filled event will take place on Saturday, August 7th in downtown Brownsville between the Flatiron Building on Market Street and Fiddle’s Diner on Water Street.

The summer festival will kickoff with a community parade at 10:30AM. Following the parade, an array of exciting activities and entertainment will be available for all ages. Whether you’re a challenging competitor or a laid back spectator, this range of activities is structured to suit all personalities. A petting zoo, rock-climbing wall, car show, dance performances, live concert and carriage rides are just a few of the fun features this festival has to offer.

In addition to having the opportunity to enjoy some of summer’s sweetest delights, community members will also have the chance to win several prizes when they enter a submission for the Mon Ducky Race, which will begin at 1:30PM at the Brownsville Riverside Wharf. Winners will receive one of the following prizes: The Grand prize will include a two-night stay in downtown Pittsburgh, a gift certificate for dinner at the Grand Concourse in Station Square, tickets for Just Ducky Tours, a gas card, and two tickets to the Senator John Heinz History Center and Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum donated by Pennoni Associates. The second-place winner will receive a $250 gift certificate donated by Dick’s Sporting Goods. The third-place winner will receive a $100 gift certificate donated by Wal-Mart. The fourth-place winner will receive a $25 gift certificate donated by Rt. 40 Classic Diner. Lastly, the lame-duck winner will receive a prize-pack donated by the BARC Board of Directors.

“The Brownsville Annual Community Festival will be the time and place for family, friends and visitors to meet, greet and depart friends. We invite everyone to come out because your support is needed to ensure future community events,” said Mayor Lester Ward.

In its first year, the Brownsville Annual Community Festival is a collaborative effort between the Mayor of Brownsville, Borough Council and BARC. BARC is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve economic development through historic preservation, heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, community stewardship, education, youth advancement and the arts. In effort to continue further community involvement, the North Side Fire Hall will be welcoming everyone to attend their upcoming ‘Open House’ event in August to celebrate their 100th anniversary. For more information regarding this event, please contact the Brownsville Borough Office at 724-785-5761.

For more information on how to reserve a booth or help volunteer for the community festival, contact the BARC Office at 724-785-9331 or contact the Mayor’s office at 724-785-3363.

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Vroom! Start your Engines for the 2010 Brownsville Car Show

For Immediate Release
July 19, 2010

Contact: Colleen Schmidt Phone: 724.785.9331


ACCWT Watershed Summer Associate Fax: 724.785.8626

E-mail: barcinfo@barcpa.org

Vroom! Vroom! Get your engines ready for the 2010 Brownsville Car Show.

If you like old-fashioned classics like a 57’ Chevy or a 63’ Corvette, then you’ll love what we have in store for you! The Mayor of Brownsville, Borough Council and the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation (BARC) have teamed up to bring you the 2010 Brownsville Car Show, in conjunction with the Brownsville Annual Community Festival. This exciting event will take place on Saturday, August 7th in downtown Brownsville between the Flatiron Building on Market Street and Fiddle’s Diner on Water Street from 10:30AM-4:00PM



During the car show, a variety of proud owners will showcase their shiny rides for those who enjoy these timeless classics. Currently, we are welcoming additional owners to participate in this event. We invite all models and makes and encourage individuality. For those who are interested in entering their wheels into the car show, we also encourage you to partake in our community parade at 10:30AM, which will serve as the grand opening for this all-day festival.



Following the parade, the 2nd Annual Mon Ducky Race will take place at 1:30PM at the Brownsville Riverside Wharf. Once the race has concluded and the winning prizes have been awarded, the 2010 Brownsville Car Show awards will be given at 2:00PM. In addition to these highlighted events, the community festival will also feature an array of activities, booths and entertainment throughout the entire day. Although all good things must come to an end, Brownsville has found a way to close this day with excitement, with a live performance by “Refuge” from 2-4PM.



In its first year, the Brownsville Annual Community Festival is a collaborative effort between the Mayor of Brownsville, Borough Council and BARC. BARC is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve economic development through historic preservation, heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, community stewardship, education, youth advancement and the arts.



If you would like to enter a car in the car show, please contact Charlie Perkins at 724-984-0303. For more information regarding this community event, please contact the BARC office at 724-785-9331.