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Our Story
On April 6, 1773 Westmoreland County was formed by the Pennsylvania government. The creation of the county, the eleventh and last formed before the Revolutionary War, would have within its boundaries 11 local government entitities known as townships. Among these newly formed townships was one named Huntingdon. History records that from Huntingdon Township, North Huntingdon, South Huntingdon, East Huntingdon, and Sewickley Township were formed. North Huntingdon Township's vast expanse of land included what is known today as Irwin Borough (formed 1864), North Irwin Borough (formed 1894), and Trafford Borough (formed 1904) and a portion of Penn Township (ceded 1855).
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Since 1773, North Huntingdon Township would continue to thrive and eventually gain first class township status in the state of Pennsylvania in January of 1953. 1953 would also be the year that our first police department was formed. Rescue 8 would soon follow with its formation in 1959.
When the Jacktown Hotel burned down in 1966, the opportunity arose in 1973 to construct a new and modern Township Building and Police Station with the purchase of the property. The newly constructed Townhouse was dedicated on June 7th, 1975 and continues to serve as our government offices to this day.
April 6, 2023 marked the exact date of North Huntingdon Township's 250th Birthday and we held a special ceremony at the Townhouse commemorating the occasion.
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On September 28th, 29th, & 30th, we are holding a special event to truly celebrate with our beloved community, the Jim Shorkey Sestercentennial Summer Celebration.
Celebrate
Jim Shorkey Sestercentennial Summer Celebration (September 28-30, 2023)
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EVENT DETAILS
North Huntingdon Township is proud to present the Jim Shorkey Sestercentennial Summer Celebration, a 3-day community event celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Township on September 28th, 29th, and 30th from 5 pm until 10 pm nightly. The event will feature carnival attractions, amusement rides, live music, food, and a nightly sky show. The nightly sky shows will feature fireworks on September 28th and 29th but September 30th will offer a unique and exquisite drone show with more than 250 drones! Join us for a once in a lifetime 250th anniversary celebration commemorating the sestercentennial incorporation of North Huntingdon Township. A weekend to remember for the next 50 years!
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Additional Details
FREE ADMISSION - The event is FREE to all guests. There is no admission charge and all amusement rides are FREE. A nominal cost is incurred for food, beverage and games.
FESTIVAL STYLE SEATING - Bring a lawn chair or blanket for your convenience and comfort.
NO PETS - Dogs and other pets are not permitted on the festival grounds during the celebration.
NO ALCOHOL - Alcohol is strictly prohibited on festival grounds.
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DIRECTIONS, PARKING & SHUTTLE
Due to the size of the event, on-site parking will be limited and restricted to those with state issued Persons with Disabilities Parking Placards. Reliable, professional shuttles provided by First Student Transportation will allow guests to arrive to and from the event safely. Drop off and pick up is at the event site. Please look for the appropriate shuttle bus and their shuttle stop designation before boarding.
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Attendees will need to park in one of the following free designated event shuttle lots (see map) located at:
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Calvary Church (located on Pennsylvania Avenue) Get Directions
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Westmoreland Transit Authority Park & Ride Lot (located next to the Sheetz on Carpenter Ln.) Get Directions
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Jim Shorkey Kia (located on Route 30) Get Directions
Shuttles will begin at 4:30 pm and continue to run at regular intervals until the end of each night’s event.
EVENT SCHEDULE
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Thursday, September 28th
4:30 PM - Shuttles Begin from all Locations
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5:00 PM - Live Music on Mitsubishi Stage (The Pittsburgh BelAirs - Doo-Wop, Motown, and Oldies)
Community Engagement Booths Open
Touch-A-Truck Area Opens
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6:00 PM - Amusement Rides & Carnival Games Open
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7:00 PM - Time Capsule Presentation
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7:30 PM - Live Music on Mitsubishi Stage (The New Pure Gold - Oldies from the 50s, 60s, and 70s)
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9:45PM - Pyrotecnico Fireworks
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10:00 PM - Event Ends
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*FOOD WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE EVENT*
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Friday, September 29th
4:30 PM - Shuttles Begin from all Locations
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5:00 PM - Live Music on Mitsubishi Stage (The Brothers Kelly - Acoustic Rock Trio)
Community Engagement Booths Open
Touch-A-Truck Area Opens
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6:00 PM - Amusement Rides & Carnival Games Open
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7:00 PM - Time Capsule Presentation
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7:30 PM - Live Music on Mitsubishi Stage (Southern Steel - Classic Skynyrd Live Tribute)
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9:45PM - Pyrotecnico Fireworks
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10:00 PM - Event Ends
*FOOD WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE EVENT*
Saturday, September 30th
4:30 PM - Shuttles Begin from all Locations
5:00 PM - Live Music on Mitsubishi Stage (Gene The Werewolf - Pittsburgh Rock & Roll)
Community Engagement Booths Open
Touch-A-Truck Area Opens
6:00 PM - Amusement Rides & Carnival Games Open
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7:00 PM - Time Capsule Presentation
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7:30 PM - Live Music on Mitsubishi Stage (Best of the Eagles - Eagles Legacy Band)
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9:45PM - Premier Anniversary Drone Sky Show
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10:00 PM - Event Ends
*FOOD WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE EVENT*
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**ALL SCHEDULING IS TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE**
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EVENT SPONSORS
Thank you to all of our sponsors for their generous support.
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Jim Shorkey Family Auto Group
JP Operations
Zona Plumbing
Shirley's Funeral Home
Riverview Chevy Buick GMC
New Image Hair Clinic
MrSqueegy Window Cleaning
Country Hammer Moonshine
Harrison Auto Sales
Carwin Boarding & Grooming
ELK Air Conditioning & Heating Supply
Norwin Landscape Supply
Southwest Subway Inc.
Benjamin McCormley, DMD
Goods Plumbing
Crisp Control Inc
Barnes Lake Vet Center
Keystone Collections Group
Westmoreland Construction Group Inc.
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SESTERCENTENNIAL CELEBRATION SUBCOMMITTEE
A subcommittee formed by the NHT Dept. of Parks & Recreation along with members of our Recreation Advisory Board who volunteered their time with planning this special event throughout the year, for the benefit of all within North Huntingdon Twp.
Members: Paul Diegelman, Dan Korhnak, Bob Morgan, Bo Murray, Beth Robosky, Ryan Hall, Brandon Leonatti, Tom Hempel, Nick Poole, Kelly Pirl, Gary Ed, Carl Huszar, Nick Benevento, Bob Rizzo, Shane Spielvogle, Ken Fennel, Rod Mahinske, Jonathan Beskid, Dan Miller, Rich Albert, Kody Grabiak
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250th Birthday Celebration (April 6, 2023)
Our 250th birthday celebration on April 6, 2023 was memorable with special guests in attendance including local dignitaries, special guest speaker (Abraham Lincoln).
250 TRIVIA (April-December 2023)
We post weekly trivia and fun facts on Tuesdays and Thursdays on our Facebook page. Play along weekly and check out the answers on our website.
