New Kensington's Sizzling Summer Night had something for everyone

Many years ago, particularly during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, summer was said to be a time of decadence, socializing, and inspiration largely taking place outdoors. New Kensington’s second annual Sizzling Summer Night, held Saturday evening, had that kind of feel.

Though she wasn’t around during those bygone times, one of the co-founders of the event, Michelle Thom of Voodoo Brewing, is a native of Manchester, England.

She seems to have taken inspiration from that long ago time, as well as America’s carnivals and fairgrounds. Thom now makes her home in New Kensington, where she could be seen Saturday cavorting in garish clown makeup and attire for the event.

She has become friends with Jamie Parker of Sweet Alchemy Bake Shop, and the two seem on to be on to something that is establishing itself as a warm-weather staple in the Alle-Kiski Valley.

The lively entertainment included fire spinners, roving entertainers, live art demonstrations, clowns, puppets shows and even wrestlers.

And the entertainment was free.

“What originally inspired it, we do multiple events, we do Shop Small, Shop New Ken,” Parker said. “We were kind of brainstorming something a little bit different; that’s how we came up with the Sizzling Summer Night. And we were like, ‘How can we keep adding things to this event to make it different, to make it community based, to make it fun?’ ”

People said they wanted food, so there were plenty of vendors selling home made items including baked goods, hot sausage, pizza and beer.

“People want a place to come and a reason to gather, so we’re providing that,” Thom said.

However, some might ask, why should I come to New Kensington, which has had its share of crime and economic challenges?

“Why not?” Thom said. “There’s a huge emerging art community here. This just showcases a lot of the art community that’s here.”

They added an Art Alley this year, featuring local artists including Marissa Mazzotta of Lower Burrell, who at 25, is making her mark in the world of glass-blowing.

She sported a glass mushroom pendant. And then she demonstrated how to make one.

“I’m sculpting the top of it,” she said. “It’s been my signature item lately.”

She explained it takes 3,000-degree heat to shape it.

In the process of making it, she has burned herself and cut herself.

“It’s a never ending battle with glass,” Mazzotta said.

But no sacrifice in the name of art, or a Sizzling Summer Night, is too great.