There was speculation whether music fans would be witness to the last “Band Blast” at New Kensington’s Memorial Park Sunday evening. But the annual musical tradition will continue, according to organizers and city officials. The event was started more than a decade ago by volunteers called the New Ken/Arnold Social in the Park and complements June’s “Rockin’ Roosevelt” in Arnold’s Roosevelt Park.
Lou Downard of Lower Burrell, one of its founding members, said the Social in the Park committee has gone from about 14 members down to four. He planned to step down and serve in a more administrative role following this year’s shows. Arnold officials earlier this year said the city’s recreation committee will take over Rockin’ Roosevelt next year and New Kensington Mayor Tom Guzzo announced his town’s commitment Sunday afternoon.
“We will definitely keep it going,” Guzzo said. “We’re just finalizing how we’re going to do it for next year and moving forward, but we will definitely continue this event. .
.. Memorial Park is our award-winning park in the city.
It’s a real gem.” Sunday’s show The mayor presented certificates of appreciation to Downard and other Social committee members Dano Galie, Cary Rigatti, Cindy Downard and Mario Tempest for their dedication and efforts. Guzzo commended the group for their many contributions including donating funds to refurbish the band shell.
Students from Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center provided concrete work, painting and roof restoration the over past several years. Galie, former owner of Fawn Tavern in Fawn, books the bands and Tempest organizes the food and drink vendors. Both are from Arnold and both expressed interest in staying involved in the planning.
“It’s very rewarding because I grew up in the Arnold/New Ken area,” said Tempest, 63. “I’ve been to both parks as a kid. I also brought my kids here and my grandkids here to play in the creek.
I’ve spent a lot of time here in these parks.” This was the first year non-food vendors declined to participate. Tempest pulled double duty Sunday.
He assisted people coming in the park and helped collect donations along with vendor coordination. A couple hundred people turned out to hear 20 different bands perform on two stages. Galie ran the main stage.
Byrl Johnson of Tarentum managed the acoustic stage. He also performed with his rock/country band Johnson’s Crossing and filled in as a guitarist for “Hippie Chick” Kari Streib of Mt. Oliver.
“It’s fun,” Johnson said. “I contacted some people that I know. Told them to spread the word and they spread the word and so on and so on.
It’s going good. Everybody’s in a good mood. It’s a nice day.
People come out and play and some people come out and enjoy it. My band has been involved on the main stage for several years doing this. It’s a nice thing.
It’s good for the park. Good for the community. It’s nice to help out.
” Streib, 68, has played guitar and violin for decades and said it is important for communities to have events like Band Blast. “There’s the camaraderie (and) its’ a way to get out and get some fresh air and showcase a lot of talent you probably wouldn’t know about unless you came here,” Streib said. Ken Burley of Stowe came to Memorial Park specifically to hear the Hippie Chick.
Burley said he has known Streib since the 1970s. They hung out with friends in Mt. Washington and have not been able to reconnect for years.
“I think this is all great,” Burley said. “I know her voice and voices never change.” Both Johnson and Galie each had more than 10 bands scheduled.
Johnson said he has built relationships with multiple groups over the years and has no problem continuing to manage the entertainment section of the show. “What we need are a half-dozen or so volunteers to take the gate, collect the money, 50/50 raffles, stuff like that,” Johnson said. “We have an established event.
We have our own banners. (The city) gives us the park every year. Everything is set.
All we need is some bodies to help. They don’t have to start from scratch. “It’s very important.
This is something that started 13 years (ago). We took a year off (because of covid).” Johnson said all the bands are professional and respect everyone’s time.
The Knockoffs, also called TKO, performed in the second half of the show. Maria Emili of New Kensington is their lead singer. She went to St.
Joseph, now known as Mary Queen of Apostles School in the city. “I literally live right up the hill,” Emili said. “It’s nice to be able to come down here.
I know exactly where to go. I remember walking the track here. I went to St.
Joes as a kid. We used to do the marathon here for St. Joes.
Everybody would sponsor you and you could walk the track many times and get money and it went to the church. This always brings back cool memories for that. “Being here with all these cool people having a good time.
That’s just the world to me. You can always find a friend somewhere.” Downard, 66, thanked Galie and the bands for donating their time and talents.
“I think this is one of the best day’s he’s ever booked,” Downard said. “I like seeing the families and seeing the kids. We keep it family-oriented.
No alcohol sales. It’s enjoyable. People that come here and don’t live here are amazed at this park and how beautiful it is.
Same thing at Roosevelt.” New Ken/Arnold Social in the Park was the idea of Rob W. Greb, who wanted to get people off of Facebook and together in-person, said Downard, who grew up with Greb in Arnold and now lives in Lower Burrell.
The first gathering, without bands, was held in Memorial Park in 2011. Greb died in 2012. A plaque memorializing him is affixed to the Memorial Park amphitheater.
Volunteers are needed to keep the shows going. Those interested in helping can call New Kensington’s city office at 724-337-4524..
