Latrobe's Mister Rogers Family Day canceled due to pandemic

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Latrobe's Mister Rogers Family Day canceled due to pandemic

Jeff Himler | Friday, April 24, 2020 2:19 p.m.

Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review

Parker Williams, 5, of Latrobe, gets help from WQED’s digital engagement specialist Delaney Hassell, on creating a pressed pin-on badge with a Mister Rogers design, as his parents, Kristie and R.J Williams, watch, during the Mister Rogers Family Day on Saturday, June 8, 2019 in downtown Latrobe.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced the cancellation of Latrobe’s Mister Rogers Family Day, but organizers of the summer festival note the health crisis won’t derail the neighborly legacy of the local native who inspired the event.

Spokeswoman Lauren Buches said the family-friendly celebration of the late Fred Rogers, iconic host of the children’s television show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” was canceled “for the health and safety of all of our neighbors.” She said organizers announced the decision this week after alerting vendors that were planning to participate.

“We don’t know what things are going to look like in a couple of weeks or months,” Buches said.

The celebration was scheduled for June 13.

Last year’s festival, the fourth annual event, included live entertainment, a car show, character appearances, arts and crafts projects, pony rides and other kids’ activities.

Organizers set a date — June 12 — for the 2021 Mister Rogers Family Day.

Despite the cancellation of this year’s event, Buches encouraged area residents to “do something kind for your neighbor on Saturday, June 13 — and every day in between and afterward. We need kindness more than ever.”

Art center offers online tutorials

Buches is executive director of the Latrobe Art Center, which regularly participates in Family Day.

The center is closed due to the pandemic, and Buches has been working with local artists to offer the public online experiences through videos posted on the center’s website and social media platforms.

She said tutorial videos focus on crafting items with materials people are likely to have on hand. One popular video provides instructions for creating a paper rose from the pages of old books.

Artists can take part in a weekly virtual open studio available through Zoom on the center’s Facebook page.

We will be trying a virtual Zentangle class next month,” Buches said. “A lot of parents are stretched thin with home schooling. If that goes well, we’ll try to do virtual summer camps.”

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