
Glass Items for sale at Festival |
Mount Pleasant Glass and Ethnic Festival
This annual three-day event held in Mt. Pleasant,
Pennsylvania, the last weekend in September showcases the area's
heritage and its glass industry. In 1987, It was originated with
the idea of providing an event to celebrate the community's ethnic
differences, honor its industrial and ethnic heritage, and give
local charitable organizations a yearly opportunity for fund-
raising. The 1999 event attracted 50,000 people.
The name of the festival derives from the
glass-blowing demonstrations and displays which are its
centerpiece. The labor force and fuel available in the coal and
coke region had long ago attracted the glass industry to the Mt.
Pleasant. A number of local glass companies provide demonstrations
in glass cutting and blowing. Those seeking unique or antique
pieces enjoy a glass auction; glass appraisers are on hand to
estimate the value of special pieces. The "Ethnic" in the festival
name comes from the foods which are offered: Mexican, Greek,
Italian and Polish. Other events include fireworks, carnival rides,
dance performances and musical entertainment from polka bands to
jazz groups to country n' western singers. Strolling musicians
entertain the crowd during the day. During some of the festivals,
wrestlers and stuntmen also entertained the assembled crowd. Parade
entries -- bands, military units, and floats -- march under a
banner declaring "Welcome to Mt. Pleasant - It Doesn't Get Any
Better Than This."
There are contests of every description for town
residents: a Twins Contest, a Look-Alike Contest, a Poker Run and
Poker Ride (bike ride). Mount Pleasant girls compete for Glass
Festival Queen and Little Princess, and the winner is awarded a
glass trophy. The Kidsfest component of the festival comprises a
"Beautiful Baby" contest, diaper derby, t-shirt coloring, a
pie-eating contest, a magician, amusement rides, and a petting zoo.
Kids try their hand at making their own craft items at the
Children's Arts & Crafts Fair. Glass items and other crafts,
such as items "carved" by a chain saw artist, are on display; many
are for sale.
The Mt. Pleasant Glass and Ethnic Festival Committee
also runs other community events throughout the year such as the
Goods, Services, and Merchandise Auction in the spring; during the
summer, a Fireman's Fair and Crusie Night where area residents are
given the opportunity to display their vintage autos; and a fall
Halloween Haunted House.
The project is documented with a scrapbook organized
by Festival year; each section contains news clippings, copies of
posters, brochures, tickets, snapshots from that year's event;
another scrapbook, devoted to Mt. Pleasant and its history and
glass industry, contains news clippings, brochures, and several 8 x
10 color photos.
Originally submitted by: John P. Murtha, Representative (12th District).
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The Local Legacies project provides a "snapshot" of American Culture as it was expressed in spring of 2000. Consequently, it is not being updated with new or revised information with the exception of "Related Website" links.
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