PITTSTON — The sun broke forth Saturday morning just in time for the Pittston Tomato Festival festivities, providing the perfect setting for the event’s annual parade.
Long-time friends and Greater Pittston residents Rita Mecadon, Camille Tomasetti and Marie Cheskiewicz watched the parade from carefully placed chairs under colorful umbrellas.
The umbrellas, they said, were originally for the rain.
“We thought it might rain and we had the umbrellas,” said Mecadon, laughing. “And then it got hot, and now we’re using them to stay cool.”
The three, friends for decades, said coming to the parade was an annual tradition with the friends, more often than not, watching together.
Lifelong area residents, they had dozens of friends and family members walking in the parade.
“The best part about the parade,” said Mecadon, “is seeing people that you know.”
Russell Endres, of West Pittston, agreed.
His favorite part of the parade, he said, would be waving to his granddaughter Avery Endres, 7, who was walking with the Pittston area High School cheerleaders.
The 7-year-old isn’t old enough to be a high school cheerleader but had the chance to walk with the high school group because of a family member who is a coach of the team.
Endres was attending the parade with more than a half dozen family members, an annual tradition that often ends with a trip to the festival area for lunch.
“It’s all about the parade, the food and the people,” he said.
Among more than 50 entries were the Pittston Area and Wyoming Area school districts, both of which were well represented, offering music and cheers, all of which were met with applause from the crowds.
Each entry, many of which highlighted the tomato theme, seemed to have been well thought out and it was clear each had crowd appeal.
Crowds clapped enthusiastically in time to music offered by the Emerald Isle Step Dancers, with many tapping their feet and all smiling.
The YMCA sported a “beach party” theme, complete with tropical flowers and a colorful umbrella decorating a flat bed truck.
Area dignitaries were also on hand to greet attendees, including Mayor Mike Lombardo and the city’s council members.
Lombardo will take the reins of the festival next year, following Lori Nocito’s decision to step down after 22 years as festival chairperson.
Nocito described this year’s parade and the sunny backdrop as “fantastic” and her last festival as chair “bittersweet.”
Nocito said she enjoyed her time heading up the festival, but felt it was time to step down from the head position but not from volunteer service to the city, which she will continue.
Consistent with the festival willingness to think out of the box and try new ways of doing things, this year two grand marshals were chosen.
Grand Marshals Chester Montante, 100 years young land a ifelong Pittston resident, and Louise Smith, recently retired director of Greater Pittston Meals on Wheels, seemed to especially enjoy taking time for a wave and quick “hello” as they made their way down Main Street in the parade’s first division.
The Grand Marshals were followed by Stewie the Tomato, a favorite of the young and the young-at-heart as he (or she) waved enthusiastically from atop a white convertible.
Pittston’s Tomato Festival and its activities have brought national attention to the city and its successful revitalization.
The four-day festival draws upwards of 50,000 people of all ages, many who say their summer would not be complete without a trip to the festival.
