After covid hiatus in 2020, Labor United returns to Northmoreland Park

The skies were gray and the ground was a bit muddy on Sunday, but the Labor United Celebration is back.

After being canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic, the two-day Labor Day festival got underway Sunday at Northmoreland Park in Allegheny Township. It concludes today.

The festival features food, rides, a circus, games, bingo, music, arts and crafts vendors, and a flea market.

Fran Kropelak of Springdale was there Sunday and said she probably will come back Monday.

Kropelak remembers bringing her son and daughter to the festival. Now, she’s there with them and their children.

“It’s awesome to be able to bring my grandkids up here and let them have fun,” she said. “I come to see people I know, too.”

There was rain in the morning, which kept some of the flea market vendors away. But it stopped by early afternoon, and there were even moments when the sun came out.

“So far, considering the weather, it’s pretty busy,” said Chris Panichella, parks coordinator with Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation. “The good thing is, it’s two days.”

The forecast for Monday looks better, with mostly sunny skies and a high temperature in the upper 70s.

“We expect a big crowd tomorrow,” Panichella said. “We’re ready for them. We waited a year for people to come out. We’re looking forward to seeing everybody.”

Tristan Aumer of Alberton was serving up funnel cakes and deep-fried Oreos from his trailer, The Funnel Cake Shoppe.

Most years, Aumer said he’s at five festivals and a handful of other events. He was shut down in 2020.

“I didn’t do anything at all last year,” he said.

With Labor United being one of his last events for the year, Aumer said it’s good to be back.

“It definitely beats not doing anything,” he said.

Friends Dave Ziner of Mt. Pleasant and Jim Minerd of Scottdale were in line for Aumer’s funnel cake. They came for the flea market and to eat.

“I’m glad it’s back. It’s something everybody looks forward to,” Minerd said. “A lot of times, you see a lot of old friends.”

Arnold’s No. 2 fire department was serving its famous french fries, which are available almost exclusively at Labor United. The department expects to cook two tons of potatoes over the two-day festival.

Funnel cakes are so popular that festival organizers brought in two vendors to meet demand.

“You can’t leave without a funnel cake,” Kropelak said. “You have to have a funnel cake.”

On the festival’s second and final day Monday, The Townsmen Plus One are scheduled to perform at noon and 1 p.m., and Chuck Blasko and The Vogues are scheduled to play at 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.

Showtimes for the Zerbini Family Circus are noon, 3:30 and 5 p.m. A $4 all-day activity pass is required to attend the circus.

Admission and parking are free. Pets are not permitted.

The Labor United Celebration is presented by Labor United Celebration Inc. and the Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks and Recreation to mark Labor Day in the county.