Food drive to honor police part of 2023 Tarentum Recreation Board events

Tarentum continues to show its gratitude for those who protect and serve.

A food drive this spring is among several area benefits planned to honor fallen Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire and wounded Tarentum Officer Jordan Schrecengost.

Carrie Fox, president of the Tarentum Recreation Board, said a concert scheduled May 25 will double as a benefit to “Back the Blue.”

The Lost Boys will perform at 7 p.m. in Riverview Memorial Park.

While the event is free, the recreation board is asking people to donate a nonperishable item to be given to the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches in Harrison.

“We wanted to help in some small way to honor these men in blue,” Fox said.

McIntire was killed and Schrecengost was shot in the leg during a manhunt Jan. 2 in Brackenridge.

Among other events planned to benefit the wounded officer and McIntire’s family is a spaghetti dinner from noon to 6 p.m. March 11 at Pioneer Hose in Brackenridge. A Back the Blue concert remembering McIntire is set for March 26 at the Quality Inn in New Kensington; proceeds will benefit his wife and four children.

The Tarentum Recreation Board’s 2023 schedule was released Wednesday.

Borough Manager Dwight Boddorf said familiar favorites will be returning this year, including an egg hunt, scarecrow contest, Boo Festival and the Tarentum-Brackenridge Christmas parade.

There will be some new twists this year as well.

Boddorf, who came on board about six months ago, said he has “been truly impressed by the events that occur every year in Tarentum.

“It’s a large part of what drew me to work here. Many other boroughs and towns could learn a lot from how events are done in Tarentum.”

All events are hosted in the park.

This year’s schedule includes:

• Egg hunt at 9 a.m. April 8.

• Concert by Daniels and McClain at 7 p.m. June 1.

• Murphy’s Music Band with Almost Sinatra at 7 p.m. June 29.

• Performance by the Shiners at 7 p.m. July 20.

• The second annual food truck event — a fan favorite last year — will return from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 17.

“Last year was a big success and people loved it,” Fox said.

“Part of what makes Tarentum stand out and a great place to live is the number and quality of events throughout the year.”