It’s time to shine on the west side of the Susquehanna River when West Pittston presents the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
The festival is not as large or as many days as the Pittston Tomato Festival, but they do have a few things in common such as a parade, a band shell with entertainment, a Little Miss contest and food.
In the past, I’ve suggested the committee up their game, but it was explained to me they like the festival just the way it is. Who am I to argue tradition?
Unfortunately, the cherry blossom trees budded and peaked a bit early due to a fair winter and a few days in the 80s and even 90 about a week or two ago.
How can you deny the pink color of the flowers on the tree? They exude spring, don’t they? Cherry blossom trees along with dogwood trees are my favorite springtime tree and colors.
As I was driving around this past Friday, I did notice how large the leaves have gotten in the trees. And yet, some trees look like they are just starting to bud.
Let’s face it, the weather has been not so spring-like lately, and it looks like we have at least one more week of average or below average temperatures. I don’t know about you, but I’m raring to go for spring to kick in full time.
Between being in a mild climate like Charleston, S.C., and coming back to 87 to 90 degree temperatures spoiled me.
I feel like when we have a fair winter, our springtime weather is not so fair at all.
Getting back to the Cherry Blossom Festival, the parade steps off a noon at the area of the Wyoming Area Intermediate School (the former West Pittston High School) and heads south down Wyoming Avenue to Philadelphia Avenue, making a left and heads east toward the river before coming to Susquehanna Avenue.
If you feel like skipping the parade, Marty Reynolds will be playing at the festival grounds from 11:30 a.m. until the parade arrives.
At 12:30 p.m. to 12:50 p.m., Broadway on the Boulevard dancers will put on a show followed by opening ceremonies.
During the ceremony, you’ll get a chance to welcome Mike Turner back from a near-death accident he had on Dec. 15, 2023. Mike is this year’s 2023 grand marshal.
The West Pittston Police Department, as West Pittstonians know, has employed Mike since 2002 and as of June 1, he will head the Wyoming Area Regional Police (WARP).
His recovery is nothing less than a miracle. As you will read in today’s edition on Mike, as he told me, at impact of the accident, he was slumped forward to the point where his airway was blocked off and when Jimmy John Ostrowski, the first person on the scene, got to him, he was blue from not breathing.
I’m sure glad Jimmy John was in the right place at the right time that late afternoon in December to help Mike.
Mike has served West Pittston well and lucky for us, as Commander-in-Chief of WARP (yes, I know, the abbreviation is funny), he will continue to watch over us for many years to come.
I teased Mike during our interview when I asked him how a Democrat from Exeter became the chief of police in West Pittston and now grand marshal?
Mike transcends politics and even though he has had to work with politicians all of his career, he’s not very political, especially when it comes time to his job. There should be no politics when it comes to law and order.
Cherry Blossom Festival President Ralph Salerno, an old friend of mine going way back to our Little League days, will also say a few words at the time of the ceremony.
Once the pomp and pageantry of the opening ceremony, the Little Miss Cherry Blossom contest will take place.
There are not many contestants entered this year, but it’s always a thrill to see the little ones perform for the title.
In years gone by, there used to be a lot of contestants but over time, not as many children are taking to the arts and are playing more sports, which is a pity. I also believe there are not as many children of age to enter the contest.
Regardless of the number of contestants, I hope the public gets out to cheer them on.
The rest of the afternoon will have dancers, performers and singers.
PATAsphere will perform from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. that offers a unique look at young performers state-of-the-art voice, dance, and drama training within a safe, supportive, and engaging environment. PATA integrates the magic of theater and performance with key principles of anatomy, physiology, and current learning theories, according to their website.
Closing out day one of the festival are the Husty Bros. These two brothers are extremely talented and are deeply entrenched in the music scene for many years now. They will perform at 4:30 p.m.
Day two will have acting, music and the West Pittston Got Talent contest at 3:30 p.m. to closing.
I love seeing new talent come out of the woodwork. If you have a hidden or special talent, get your name entered today.
Thought of the Week
“Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you.” – Aldous Huxley
Quote of the Week
“People often say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing you are the beholder.” – Salma Hayek
Bumper Sticker
“A person without regrets is a nincompoop.” – Mia Farrow
