East Deer summer festival growing in 4th year of operation

On Saturday, hundreds attended the East Deer Summer Celebration, where families played games, kids enjoyed pony rides, bands played to crowds, and food vendors hawked local favorites.

It was the fourth year the township has hosted the summer festival, and officials say it has been growing each subsequent year.

Chrystal Carmen is the East Deer township secretary, and she organized the festival. She said this year, the Summer Celebration added more food vendors, and she expects more would attend than last year, which brought in about 800 people.

“It brings everyone together,” said Carmen, who has lived in East Deer her entire life. “And it’s not just for our community, it is for the surrounding community as well.”

East Deer Commissioner Tony Taliani agreed. He said the celebration also is about getting the word out to other Alle-Kiski Valley towns so more residents can enjoy the fun.

Taliani said it was important for the township to provide a community event that was inexpensive and accessible for all families and residents.

The festival only charges 25 cents per ticket for games and provides many free activities, like an inflatable obstacle course, pony rides, and live music from Rick & Tony acoustic band and an oldies group Stagger Lee.

He said the Summer Celebration was able to provide inexpensive experience thanks to support from local businesses, who sponsored many of the attractions.

Taliani said it also showcased booths and equipment from the East Deer Police Department and local fire departments so residents could get to know firefighters and police officers better.

“This event has been growing over the last four years, and it is turning into a really nice event,” Taliani said.

Shelley Nulph visited from West Deer with her two children. It was her first year attending the festival, which she heard about on social media. Nulph said it was a nice way to spend a summer day, and her kids really enjoyed the games and prizes.

Lori Huha of East Deer said she and her young son try to come to the township’s summer festival every year. She’s happy the local government puts on the event and said it was a fun way to celebrate summer. Her son enjoyed the inflatable obstacle course, running up the ramp and sliding down the slide.

“I have no idea how long he will keep going. Probably until he gets tired,” Huha said.

In addition to games like putt-putt golf and marble throwing for the kids, the Summer Celebration also had a classic car cruise, 50-50 raffle, and a foam bubble party for kids.

Taliani was hopeful that the festival’s growth was symbolic of some of the industrial rebound the community has seen recently. Historically, East Deer was home to a large PPG glass facility and other factories. Over the decades those have left or closed down.

But Taliani said the arrival of Pittsburgh Brewing Company, home of Iron City Beer, to the township and other industrial facilities is starting a renaissance of industry in the Alle-Kiski Valley.

“We are rebuilding our industrial base,” Taliani said.