Summit Hose Fall Festival to return to Tarentum after 2-year covid hiatus

Bingo, bands and the best French fries this side of the river will fill Tarentum’s Riverview Memorial Park when Summit Hose Company brings back its popular Fall Festival after two years in a covid-related hiatus.

The carnival is scheduled for Sept. 8-10 and is expected to draw thousands of people of all ages.

“We work hard to try to bring something to town for families,” fire Chief Josh Fox said. “After the gloom of covid, we just want people to come out and have fun.”

Many of the details are not finalized but will be posted to Facebook in coming weeks.

Several things are certain: There will be festival foods, such as pizza and hot dogs, as well as rides, bingo, craft vendors and a lineup of live entertainment.

Admission is free.

Pittsburgh-area cover band Johnson’s Crossing will open the fair Sept. 8; oldies band American Pie is scheduled Sept. 9; and classic rockers Up the River will play Sept. 10.

Fox said the fair is one of the fire company’s most significant fundraisers. Without it the past two years, members have “really pinched pennies,” he said.

The fire company has made up some of the money by turning to online raffles, but Fox said everyone is happy to bring back the festival.

“This is a family-oriented event for people to come out and enjoy themselves,” he said. “People look forward to it.”

The fire company has served Tarentum since 1906. For more than four decades, members hosted a street fair along West Sixth Avenue before turning their efforts to a carnival in the park.

Volunteer Tami Sudy said the return of the carnival is comforting after two years of uncertainty.

“It brings a sense of community,” she said.

Sudy is coordinating the vendors and believes there will be an array of handmade items for people to shop.

She expects to have as many as 75 booths that include home decor, flowers, wreaths, jewelry and knickknacks.

“I’m hoping for different things like wood-making and metal art,” she said.