Norvelt VFD hosts 2nd annual Parking Lot Bash and Car Cruise

Pinched for fundraising ideas in 2020 because of social distancing requirements during the coronavirus pandemic, Norvelt Volunteer Fire Department opted to go outdoors, holding a Parking Lot Bash and Car Cruise last September.

Fire Chief Matthew Zelenak said the daylong event outside the fire station, founded in 1934, turned out better than organizers expected. More than 200 vehicle entries, multiple food vendors, raffles and a band combined and a new department fundraiser was born.

The second annual bash and cruise will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday.

“The response last year was huge,” Zelenak said.

“We had people come in with cars from multiple counties outside this area who had never visited this area before,” he said.

Zelenak said organizers are making preparations in hopes this year’s event will be bigger and better than the 2020 version.

“We’ve already made arrangements to create extra room for more cars,” Zelenak said.

Admission is free.

Spectators will be able to purchase chances to win cash, firearms, grills, Igloo and Yeti coolers, lottery tickets, outdoor tools and designer purses, including Coach and Kate Spade, Zelenak said.

“We usually have two gun bashes and a purse bash among our annual fundraisers, but, because of social distancing requirements last year, we had to cancel them, so we decided to try an outdoor event. Like I said, it turned out really well for us,” Zelenak said.

This year, a DJ will play music from noon to 4 p.m. and at 3 p.m. the band “Contagious” will perform until 7 p.m.

Among vendors are Hot Barbeque, Kona Ice, Norvelt Pizza, The Boulevard, Post Avenue Catering and Suzy’s Frozen Custard.

The fire station is located at 2325 Mt. Pleasant Road.