As a special part of FontanaFest, Pittsburgh native and rock 'n roll legend Porky Chedwick was recognized by City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Officials who designated September 23rd as Porky Chedwick Day in the City and County.

Porky Chedwick

The Daddi-O of the Radi-O, Porky Chedwick (left) rhymes for the crowd while County Council President Rich Fitzgerald (center), and Senator Fontana look on during the 2nd Annual FontanaFest. 

 

September 23rd was also the first day of Porky Chedwick Week in the Commonwealth, designated as such by Senator Fontana with the presentation of a resolution in the Senate the following week.

Pittsburgh's Three Rivers --                 Our Greatest Resource!

Attendees of the 2nd Annual FontanaFest were able to participate in several activities on the river thanks to area organizations:

Pittsburgh's RiverQuest brought Scout, its 44-foot, aluminum-hulled houseboat to allow attendees an opportunity to see its river learning center firsthand.  Guests got to go out on the rivers and heard about RiverQuest's new green boat - Explorer.

 

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission brought canoes for those who wanted to try their hand at paddling on the Monongahela.  A special thanks to Venture Outdoors volunteers who helped novices and experts!

The City of Pittsburgh's River Rescue also made a stop during the event.

 

Special Guests

Thank you to the many elected and appointed officials who attended FontanaFest including several federal and state officials:  Congressman Mike Doyle, Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll, Attorney General Tom Corbett, Senator Jay Costa, and Representatives Nick Kotik and Don Walko. I appreciate you taking the time to attend.

Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll visits with volunteers and staff of Healthy Start, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides services aimed at reducing the numbers of low birth weight babies and infant mortality.  This is the second year the Healthy Start has participated as a booth sponsor.

Richard Dixon of the Rotary Club of Pittsburgh (2nd from right) spends a few moments speaking with Senator Jay Costa (far right) at their booth promoting its Ducky Derby.  This annual event will be held on October 14th.

 

Booth Participants

Thanks to the participation of several Pittsburgh organizations, attendees that visited booths at FontanaFest had much to experience:

• Heard stories and visited Beginning with Books' Storymobile

• Make pennants with The Children's Museum

• Find out more about productions at City Theatre

• Learn how to help save a local landmark along with the Friends of Dormont Pool

• Enjoy snowcones and jump on an inflatable at Healthy Start

• Get a free massage from Larry Sabitini

• Learn more about healthy living from Magee Womens Hospital's Healthy Communities Program

• Make crafts and learn more about the birds at the National Aviary

• Find out more about the services of National City Bank

• Sample hot cider and cookies from Nico's Coffee Cove

• Make sails for a duck boat at Pittsburgh Parks & Recreation Art Cart

• Check out animal pelts and visit an inflatable polar bear at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

• Get their cholesterol checked by Primary Care Health Services

• Check their blood pressure with UPMC's Living-at-Home Program

And while enjoying some good food, attendees also had the opportunity to take in martial arts demonstrations from American Streetwise Karate and Fawcett Martial Arts and visit with the Pirate Parrot (My thanks to the Pittsburgh Pirates for their participation.).

Entertainment

The day wouldn't have been complete without the entertainment provided by DJ John Mascio, The Owen King Band and Manhattan.  They filled South Side's Riverfront Park with music from start to finish!

The Owen King Band thrilled guests with their play list of blues and funk!

For more information on the band, contact Dave Bufalini at 724-375-0009.

 

 

Gary Hill of Manhattan takes a break from the music to pose for a photo with rock 'n roll legend Porky Chedwick.

To hear more about Manhattan, visit their website at www.manhattanband.com. 

 

A Special Thank You

Members of Quaker Valley High School's National Honor Society helped out with set-up the morning of FontanaFest. Pictured are a few of the students with Senator Fontana, along with advisor, Brian Hill (far right).