From staff reports
The North East Fire Department (NEFD), Crescent and Fuller Hose companies, will kick off the 74th annual Cherry Festival on Tuesday, July 9. The festival, located in Heard Park on North Lake Street, will run through Saturday, July 13.
The Cherry Festival originated in 1945 as a fundraiser for the volunteer fire department. Today, 74 years later, the tradition continues. Not only has the Cherry Festival become the fire department’s biggest fundraiser but it is also a much-anticipated annual event and community gathering.
Thanks to the tremendous support and generosity from North East and surrounding communities, the Cherry Festival remains one of the largest running events of its kind conducted by a volunteer fire department in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
This year, the NEFD is pleased to welcome back Powers and Thomas Midway Entertainment from Wilmington, North Carolina. Powers & Thomas offers an impressive line of quality thrill rides for riders of all ages.
Nightly Ride-A-Rama packages will be available Tuesday through Friday, from 5:30 to 11 p.m. and on Saturday from 2 to 11 p.m. Ride-A-Rama tickets are good for only one session per ticket/wristband and hours will be strictly enforced.
Other attractions at the Cherry Festival include a wide variety of food concessions manned and operated by North East Fire Department volunteers. You’ll find all your favorites foods including Cherry Festival sausage subs, fresh cut straight and curly fries and don’t forget the cotton candy.
Visit the Ladies Auxiliary tent for ox roast sandwiches, hamburgers, hotdogs and homemade cherry pies.
In addition to food concessions, the North East Fire Department also operates the bingo tent, chuck-a-luck, pill game and the money tent. Proceeds from all concessions and games operated by the North East Fire Department will go directly to the fire department.
Watch for the Cherry Festival logo at all your favorite tents and be assured that your purchase or donation will directly benefit the NEFD.
Other highlights of the Cherry Festival include the crowning of the 2019 Cherry Queen on Thursday, July 11, at 6 p.m. on the Heard Park bandstand and the popular Firemen’s Parade on Saturday, July 13, beginning at 2 p.m. this year.
For more information related to the Cherry Festival, please call 814-725-5616 or visit www.necherryfestival.com.