Motorcyclists make their way down Main Street in Worthington at the start of the bike parade. Vayda Pascarella/Butler Eagle
WORTHINGTON, Armstrong County — Amid 90-degree heat, motorcyclists and riders of dirt bikes, side-by-sides and four wheelers revved their engines down Worthington’s Main Street in Armstrong County for the annual Worthington-West Franklin Volunteer Fire Department bike parade.
The parade was part of the annual Worthington-West Franklin Volunteer Fire Department Carnival, which began Monday and concludes Saturday, June 22.
At 6:30 p.m., parade participants began to ride through the streets and passed out candy to attendees on the street. Live music provided by The Fabulous Gunslingers, sponsored by Snyder’s Associated Companies, started to play as the parade began.
“It drives everyone together for a common goal,” Worthington resident Linda Clark said. Clark and her husband, Frank, have attended the carnival for more than 40 years.
The bike parade is one of many events at the carnival. On June 20, the carnival hosted the Firemen’s Parade, which featured fire trucks from fire departments from around the area.
“It just gives people an avenue to relieve the stressors of everyday life,” Worthington resident Tracy Yockey said. “It’s something a lot of people enjoy.”
Yockey rode in the event in her sister’s quad.
Kaylee Walfford, another Worthington resident, said “my mom’s been coming here since she was my age. It helps raise money for the fire departments and they do amazing work. It’s what we look forward to every year.”
Food trucks serving gyros and carnival games and rides are among the features of the carnival this year, which has been held for more than 70 years.
“I usually make it every year,” said Shirley Brooks. Brooks, who currently lives in North Carolina, has been coming to the carnival for 50 years.
Saturday’s events include Butch’s Bucket Brigade 5K Run/Walk, which will start at 9 a.m. The Kids Bicycle Race will be held at 11 a.m. In the evening, The Cash Out Band will perform between 6:30 and 10 p.m. and a fireworks show will begin at 10 p.m.
