Cranberry Community Days’ ‘largest year’ for vendors
The Cranberry Township Community Chest’s Community Days will open Thursday, July 13, with live music, events and, of course, vendors.
“This is actually our largest year in terms of vendors,” said Audrey Rattay, co-chair for the event. “We have over 260 vendors that will be at the park all three days — Thursday, Friday and Saturday — and it’s a great mixture of nonprofits, artists, crafts, homemade and food.”
The event runs 4 to 10 p.m., Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m., Friday; and 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday — all in the township’s Community Park.
“Saturday we have a 5K starting at 8:30 a.m., we have a Lions (Club) Pancake & Sausage Breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m.,” Rattay said. “And then the event officially begins from 1 p.m. until 11 p.m.”
For the first year ever, Rattay said the many vendors will also include a Craft Ale Garden in the park hosted by the Cranberry Rotary, CTCC and Full Pint Beer.
“It’s a trial-run year, so we are going to have picnic-table setups in an enclosed area, and if you would like to purchase a beer, sit at a table and listen to music, you would stay inside an enclosed area in the park,” she said. “This is our first year that we’ve entertained the idea of bringing alcohol into the park.”
The new 21+ Craft Ale Garden aside though, Rattay emphasized the event was geared for all ages.
“There’s a lot of fun events going on, and it’s really just a wonderful atmosphere — everyone’s happy that’s there,” she said. “There’s a lot of things to looks at, lots of games and activities for kids and for all members of the family, so it’s really just a nice community event with lots to do.”
In previous years, Rattay said the event has averaged around 50,000 attendees each year — with the numbers growing to include visitors from Ohio and West Virginia.
“I will tell you, last year we had wonderful attendance, the weather was perfect and we’re hoping to have the same this year as well,” she said. “As Cranberry continues to grow, the event continues to grow.”
In addition to the variety of vendors, carnival rides and hours of live music, Rattay said each day of the event is packed with special programs.
“Thursday we have our Cruisin’ Cranberry Car Show, in addition to live music; Friday we have our Cranberry CUP Home Run Derby as well as our ‘Battle of Badges’ First Responders Sand Volleyball Match, in addition to live music,” she said. “And then Saturday, from 2-4 p.m., we have roaming Mascots this year.”
Rattay said the group secured 10 to 12 mascots to take photos during this time — including "Pittsburgh favorites“ Steely McBeam and Iceburgh.
“And then we wrap up Saturday with the Zambelli Fireworks at 9:45 p.m.,” she said.
While entry to the event is free, Rattay said money raised through donations and sponsorships help support the CTCC.
“This is our largest fundraiser of the year, and CTCC raises funds to stay in the township and support all of our non profit members,” she said, “as well as raising funds for our Project of the Year.”
In addition to supporting non profit organizations in the township, Rattay said the township Community Chest organizes a yearly project to benefit community.
“Our 2023-24 Project of the Year is going to be the Great Lawn Project, which is at the municipal center,” she said. “This will be a green-space gathering space for programming and just relaxing outdoors in Cranberry and kind of serve as the heart of Cranberry Township as well.”
Sponsors for this year’s event include HRG, Inc.; MSA Safety, Armstrong, the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, the Cranberry Eagle, 98.3 K-LOVE, Univest and title sponsor UPMC Passavant.
“We have UPMC Passavant as our title sponsor again, and we’ve had a number of other sponsors,” Rattay said. “And they’re really the ones that support this event as well, helping us coordinate and run everything, and the funds that we receive from that are also well-suited toward the Project of the Year.”
This year, the event will also accept parking donations from attendees to help support the program.
“We’ll have volunteers standing on Ernie Mashuda Drive and Park Road — but it’s a donation, it’s not a requirement,” Rattay said. “And all the funds that we receive will also go to the Project of the Year, so it stays in Cranberry Township.”
Community Days will unofficially kick-off July 12 at Martinis with Monet, according to Rattay. This art exhibition runs from 7 to 9 p.m. in the municipal center, with tickets available online or on-site.
“With that ticket, they’re able to view the Cranberry Artist Network’s Summer Art Exhibit,” Rattay said. “As well as a drink-ticket, there’s hors d’oeuvres, and they’ll get to interact with local artists.”
For more information about Community Days, to purchase a ticket for Martinis with Monet or to donate, visit yourctcc.org.
“You know, there’s something for everyone depending on the day,” Rattay said. “So, if they can make it all three days, that would be the best.”
