Zelienople celebrates Independence Day
ZELIENOPLE — Fourth of July festivities began early for more than 180 runners Thursday in the borough, where the annual Firecracker 5K and 1-mile event kicked off at 8 a.m.
Joella Baker, the coordinator of the race, said it always gets good attendance, with many people signing up to get their exercise for the day out of the way before heading to parties and other holiday festivities. Although it began early in the day, the event brought hundreds of people to Zelienople Community Park, which was a short distance away from the borough’s annual Fourth of July parade. Baker said many runners would likely attend the parade after the race.
“We actually have our highest pre-registered numbers we’ve had since COVID,” Baker said. “It’s really a great way to run through a great town that really celebrates the Fourth of July.”
Zelienople’s parade started at 11 a.m. on Main Street, which crowded the road with people decked out in red, white and blue clothing. At the parade, the Rotary Club of Zelienople honored Mike Schoeffel as the parade’s grand marshal, and Marietta Reeb as the recipient of the Tullio A. “Doc” Viola Service Above Self Non-Rotarian Award.
Schoeffel, a military veteran and familiar face at the Zelienople Post Office for the past 25 years, is retiring in August. Schoeffel is also known as a leader of the American Legion Riders, Zelienople Post 474, where he organizes motorcycle escorts for local service personnel going to serve or coming home. He also volunteers with Honor Flight Pittsburgh to recognize war veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by transporting them via deluxe motor coach to Washington, D.C.
Reeb is being honored for her volunteer work with the Zelienople Historical Society, which spans more than 40 years. Her work includes fundraising, organizing holiday tours and the annual spring tea event. Reeb is also a member of the Park Presbyterian Church Choir and Hand Bell Choir, is an active member of the Western Butler County Sewer Authority and just retired after serving 20 years on Zelienople Borough Council.
Originally from Mars, Reeb has lived in Zelienople for 72 years with her husband Wayne. They have four children, 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
