Erik Greenawalt plans to head to Mt. Pleasant on Friday, the first day of the town’s three-day Glass & Ethnic Festival, with colored chalk in hand.

It’s the third time the North Huntingdon man known as The Chalking Dad will be part of the celebration, creating a sidewalk art image along Diamond Street — in the area of the town’s Veterans Park — for the benefit of those attending the event.

The festival, in its 37th year, will be from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday in the area of Diamond and Washington streets with live entertainment, historical displays, vendors and ethnic food.

Greenawalt is slated to create a salute to the nearby doughboy war memorial on Main Street that will mark its 100th anniversary on Nov. 11.

“Hopefully, people will appreciate my tribute to that famous landmark,” Greenawalt said. “I’ve been doing some design concepts at home, and I’ll put that down in chalk at the event.

“I started drawing on my driveway for my kids close to 20 years ago, and I’ve been able to travel around the world with it. I’m excited to be bringing it back to Mt. Pleasant.”

The festival parade along Main Street will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Eagle Street, with units marching east to Silver Street. The Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, will be recognized as the parade marshal.

Department apparatus expected to be part of the parade include its 1915 American LaFrance engine, which was its first motorized piece of equipment. The headlights feature lenses produced at Mt. Pleasant’s own former L.E. Smith glass plant.

“The fire department is the leader of the parade,” said VFD President Richard Pologruto. “We may also bring out our old Chevy hook and ladder truck.”

The department will be among organizations manning booths at the festival, selling anniversary-related apparel and keepsakes.

New vendors this year will offer items ranging from maple syrup and olive oil to country and western clothing, according to Susan Ruszkowski, borough council president and one of the festival board members.

“We also have some new entertainment,” she said. “Some line dancing instructors will be coming in Friday and Saturday to interact with the crowd.

”We’ve expanded our Kids Fest with crafts for children starting at noon on Sunday. It will be a fun time for them. They’ll be able to make cookies and shirts.”

Mt. Pleasant’s legacy as a glass manufacturing center will be represented by returning artisans, including glass engraver Peter O’Rourke and glass torch artist Dan Sullivan.

The ethnic portion of the festival will include tasty Eastern European food specialties from local church groups, such as cabbage rolls and kielbasa, as well as gyros, tacos, Italian meatballs and Asian dishes.

“That’s always a big draw,” Ruszkowski said of the food booths.

Cutest baby and pet photo contests are among other festival features.

The festival had been held annually, except in 2020, with the arrival of the covid-19 pandemic.

The fall event is in a transitional phase following the deaths of founders Jerry Lucia, also the former mayor and fire chief, in December 2021, and Jeff Landy, the former borough manager, in May 2023. Marie Dawson retired as festival secretary in November.

“This year, we will restructure,” said Ruszkowski, a remaining event board member along with current Borough Manager Sharon Lesko. Ruszkowski said about two dozen committee members also have become involved in festival preparations.

“We want to keep the festival moving and growing, bringing in new things,” Ruszkowski said.

Visit mtpleasantglassandethnicfestival.com for a schedule of activities and other festival details. Free shuttle service to the festival is available for those parking at the nearby Walmart store or the Mt. Pleasant Glass Centre, formerly a Lenox crystal factory.

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