First Posted: 10/21/2014
It all began several years ago with a simple scarecrow making party at the park.
Now the Abington Business and Professional Association’s (ABPA) Fall Fun Day in the Abingtons is an annual event with a variety of family activities planned throughout Clarks Summit’s downtown.
“It’s been morphing and growing through the years,” said ABPA Executive Director Laura Ancherani. “and it’s kind of gone from one direction to a little bit more of a grander direction.”
The event, to be held Saturday, Oct. 25, will feature trick-or-treating for kids and pets, a children and pets Halloween costume parade, hay rides, Halloween glitter tattoos for kids, a photo booth, live music, fall goodies and more. An artistic pumpkin display, created by students of all ages from the Abington Art Studio, will be on display both Saturday and Sunday throughout town.
Local musician Mike Waskovich will perform from 1 to 3 p.m. at the borough building. The guitarist, harmonica player, singer and songwriter said he plans to present mostly classic rock tunes from the 70s and some from the surrounding eras, as well as a few original songs.
The North Abington Township resident also performed at last year’s Fall Fun Day and this year’s ABPA Clarks Summit Festival of Ice. He said he always enjoys playing and singing for a local audience.
“I found folks here have been very receptive to the music,” he said, “and some even singing along with the music.”
Waskovich believes in the purpose behind the event, which “helps local businesses give the area some character.”
“I’m a big fan of helping local businesses in general,” he said.
Ancherani described Fall Fun day as an opportunity to bring people in to town, allowing families to discover or rediscover their local stores, and better get to know each other and their community.
“It’s the business owners giving back to the community,” she said, “but it’s also raising awareness that they’re there — they’re there to serve the local public. We want people to come out and meet them, and they want to meet their families.”
For one local business owner, Dorothy O’Connor, of Sole to Soul, the best part of the day is the costume parade.
“I love seeing all the new creative ideas,” she said.
Although it started off small, last year’s parade included about 75 people, and O’Connor hopes for a good turnout again this year. Participants (kids, parents, pets and pet owners) will meet at 4 p.m. in Citizens Savings Bank parking lot and march along Davis Street, ending at the borough building, where plenty of other activities and goodies are to be found.
Heritage Baptist Church, in previous years up until last year, hosted a carnival on its grounds in conjunction with Fall Fun Day. This year it will for the second time bring it’s portion of the event to the borough building. The church is sponsoring free hay rides and fall treats from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ancherani said any time an organization such as the church steps in to help out, it “upgrades the event to another level,” and Fall Fun Day would not be as grand as it is without Heritage’s contribution.
“I think any time we can do that,” she said, “it benefits what we are trying to do. And it also shows the community that the churches are not just staying in their buildings, they are reaching out to the community. We have several churches that do that with the Ice Festival as well.”