Organizer of Jeannette Summerfest hopes event will expand, bring community together

Chanelle Terry and her 9-year-old son Aiden Tartt squeezed 20 bags of lemons to get ready for Saturday’s Jeannette Summerfest, their lemonade stand’s biggest event so far.

Terry of Greensburg said the pair started “LemonAiden” a couple months ago as a way to help Aiden learn about money and business while helping a local nonprofit. A portion of their proceeds during Saturday’s event will be donated to TJ’s Hideaway Rescue, an animal rescue group, Terry said.

“This is just teaching him responsibility with his money,” she said. “It’s a good learning experience.”

They prepared cups of lemonade with pieces of fruit and flavored syrup for event-goers as the afternoon sun grew hot at the Magee Avenue parking lot. Several city restaurants had booths and other crafters and vendors from across the area joined in for the event’s second year.

Organizer Ty Daniels said he wants it eventually to turn into a multi-day festival attended by thousands, similar to community days held in town years ago.

“I’m from Jeannette, and I want to contribute and try to help it grow,” he said.

Bands played throughout the day, and an animal show took over the stage in the afternoon. People played bingo in a tented area, and fireworks were planned for the evening.

The headliner was Aubrey Burchell, a North Huntingdon singer who is set to appear on Tuesday’s episode of NBC’s America’s Got Talent. A teaser video showed Burchell, 21, moving on to the next round of the competition.

She was a frequent visitor to the former Keynote Cafe in Jeannette.

Jill Urbani Sorrels, who owned the cafe that was a popular space for area musicians until it closed in 2019, painted faces at the Jeannette Arts Council booth. She praised Daniels’ vision to organize the event.

“I think it’s very important. It brings the community back together again,” she said. “Hopefully this will just be the beginning of our resurgence.”

City Councilwoman Michelle Langdon agreed.

“It brings so many different groups together … and it builds community spirit,” she said, adding it offered a venue for local businesses and restaurants.

Full Tylt Band was set to play from 4-6 p.m. and Burchell will take the stage from 7:30-9:30 p.m. A fire show and fireworks will follow.