Fourth of July revelers can get a jump on holiday fun at Julyfest, July 2 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Swissvale Senior Center at 1800 Monongahela Avenue in Swissvale.
The event, sponsored by Friends of Swissvale Library, will feature hand-crafted items, homemade baked goods, $1 hotdogs, and raffle baskets loaded with goodies---all to raise money for the library. It is being held in conjunction with Swissvale Community Days which starts July 1 at 4 pm at Dickson Field.
Julyfest is a new venture for Friends, the volunteer group whose fall, winter and spring book and bake sales have been a popular community tradition for years.
“We get such big turnouts at those events, we decided to do something similar in summer,” said Friends’ president Sharon Ramsey, a retired nurse who lives in Swissvale. “People love that we sell unique, top-quality stuff at bargain prices, and that they’re supporting a vital community resource.”
Julyfest will feature hand-knitted scarves and scrubbies, one-of-a-kind jewelry, homemade dog treats, cat beds, and other items by local crafters, as well as baked goods, and raffle baskets featuring Italian specialty foods, wines, women’s pampering items, and $50 Giant Eagle gift card. All proceeds will go toward library improvements.
Friends’ past events have paid for new carpeting and book shelves, a refurbished children’s room, and upgrades to the staff kitchen.
“We buy a lot of books and movies that people want to borrow, and we help with the summer reading program,” said Ramsey. “We support year-round activities for families and kids and a knitting circle that meets monthly.”
While books won’t be sold at Julyfest, brownies, blondies, cookies, cakes and other treats by expert bakers will be featured, along with knitwear by Pam Schmidbauer and Donna Deppmeyer of Swissvale.
“Pam and Donna show at a lot of venues in the area and have developed quite a following,” said Ramsey. “Their work is beautiful and affordable. Folks with gifts to buy---it’s not too soon to think Christmas---will find this is the perfect opportunity.”
Raffle tickets are now being sold at the library, which has the baskets on display.
“People are raving about them,” said Kate Grannemann, Swissvale library director. “They’re buying lots of tickets and looking forward to July 2. They know Friends’ events are always special.”
For more, call 412-731-2300.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.