Published Tuesday, September 3, 2002
SHENANGO VALLEY
one of a kind
it's a family tradition
Herald Staff Writer
The 23rd annual Buhl Day dawned clear and bright Monday as local and not-so-local residents took advantage of the sunny weather to see the parade, grab a bite to eat and mingle with friends at Buhl Farm in Hermitage.
"Buhl Day is a one-of-a-kind celebration in a one-of-a-kind park," Sue McLaughlin, Buhl Day committee secretary, said during the opening ceremonies.
The first celebration was held in 1915, the year the park opened, and honored local industrialist Frank H. Buhl, for whom the park is named. In 1979, when plans were made to revitalize Buhl Day, the committee decided to honor local community leaders as well as Buhl, Ms. McLaughlin said.
This year's honorees were Phil Marrie of Sharon, Olive Thompson of Hermitage and Robert and Donna Mort of Hermitage. Karen Campman Emmett chaired the Buhl Day committee.
The parade kicked off the day beginning at Hermitage Towne Plaza and ending at the park. After the last float went through the park gates, the crowd began to filter down to the many food booths and the Performing Arts Center, where groups such as Toast of the Town Tappers, Penn-Ohio Singers, Sharon High School Tiger Kittens and Men of Note, and the Shenango Valley Chorale put on shows.
The West Middlesex High School Nightingales sang the nation anthem during opening ceremonies.
Other activities included synchronized swimming by the Shenango Valley Water Ballet, a Valley Arts Guild show, magic shows and children's activities.
Ron McCall of Sharpsville said the children's activities are one of the reasons his family attends Buhl Day events. He added they also like the gyros, which were prepared by members of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Farrell.
The food booths --- which featured such fare as pirogis, meatball sandwiches, pizza, baked potatoes, french fries and roast beef sandwiches -- were a draw for many Buhl Day visitors, such as Melissa Evans of Mercer.
"It's a fun way to get out with the family," she said. "It's an inexpensive way to spend the day."
"We come every year," said Michele Brozovich of Hermitage. "Basically we come for Penn State ice cream. It's a nice family tradition."
When Tim and Judy Ashe's daughter and son-in-law, Molly and Burt Hepner, lived in Sharpsville for five years, attending Buhl Day became a family tradition.
Even though the Hepners moved to Kittanning two months ago, they saw no reason to discontinue that tradition.
"We just moved away and came back," Mrs. Hepner said. "We come for the food. We just decided to come back for the day because we always had such a good time here."
"We really enjoyed it when we came other years," Ashe said.
The day ended with a fireworks display, sponsored by the Buhl Day committee at the park's kite field.