Greensburg Community Days marks 25 years, start of summer

Greensburg Community Days is a sure sign that summer is just around the corner.

The 25th edition of the weekend family festival of fun is set for 6-10 p.m. May 23 and 24, and 2-11 p.m. May 25 at Lynch Field, 528 New Alexandria Road, Greensburg. Admission is free.

City administrator Kelsye Milliron says that besides the annual lineup of activities and entertainment planned for the weekend, this year’s Community Days will feature a new event – a “Battle of the Barrel” contest.

The event from 6 to 9 p.m. May 23 will pit local fire companies against each other as 10 teams get fired up for a friendly competition.

Also, Milliron says the Fireworks Show that gets underway at 9:30 p.m. May 25 will be accompanied this year by a music and light show that will make it even more spectacular. This is the second year that New Castle-based Pyrotecnico will put on the show.

Community Days will feature a midway and games for all ages, 30 booths with crafts and activities, 20 food booths selling festival fare, a beer tent and wine sold by the glass or bottle by Greendance Winery.

Live entertainment will include: on May 23, Willow Hill from 6-7:30 p.m., and Shiva Skydriver from 8-10 p.m.; on May 24, Saddle Up from 6-7:30 p.m. and Jeff Jimerson and Airborne from 8-10 p.m., and on May 25, Full Tylt from 2-4p.m., Switch from 5-7 p.m. and Andy Davis Band from 8-10:45 p.m.

Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department, which is hosting the “Battle of the Barrel,” also will have interactive displays, fire trucks and demonstrations on site from 2-6 p.m. May 25.

Angela Grant, a member of the eight-person Community Days Board, which also includes Milliron, adds that the popular Car Cruise sponsored by E.C. Cruisers Car Club will return again this year from 6-8 p.m. May 24.

The entry fee is $7 per vehicle, with a portion to be donated to Wayward Whiskers Animal Rescue. More information about the Car Cruise is available on the club’s Facebook page; dash plaques will be awarded to the first 100 participants.

Free shuttle buses provided by DMJ Transportation Inc. will run in continuous loops during festival hours to Lynch Field from the Robert A. Bell Parking Garage, 106 W. Otterman St., and from Nicely Elementary School, 55 McLaughlin Drive.

Grant says Community Days is funded by numerous generous donors and the festival could not take place without its sponsors.

“This is the kickoff to summer for us,” Milliron says. “It’s a great time to get the family out of the house and come have some fun.”