Several thousand people participate in Plum's SummerFest at Larry Mills Park late June

Plum’s annual SummerFest returned to its pre-pandemic power with games and rides, a community section packed with nonprofits and organizations, and a firefighter obstacle course.

The three-day festival took place June 23-25, with thousands of people visiting Larry Mills Park.

C&L Shows had about half the park for its carnival atmosphere. The other half featured various informational booths and children’s activities for charity fundraisers.

“We’re back to pre-covid levels,” said Mona Costanza, event coordinator. “We like to keep the community involved. Whatever those tents make, we 100% donate back to them.”

The newest organization to participate in SummerFest was Angels in DaSky, a charity that helps bring presents to children around the holidays, and assists domestic violence survivors and fire victims. The group had a game in which mechanical purple pigs would race to the end of a table.

“This is our first year here, so, we’re happy to be invited,” Melissa DiPasquale, co-founder and president, said. “We wanted to give back to the community. Our motto is, ‘Always remember to pay it forward.’ We interact with a lot people on Facebook. A lot of people have come up so we could put a face to the name.”

Firefighters from several departments assisted in Holiday Park Volunteer Fire Department’s obstacle course.

Children received plastic fire hats and put on junior jackets. They carried a hose and a ladder, moved a dummy to safety and put out a fake fire.

Luca Pampena, 7, of New Kensington completed the course with stepbrother Axton Bennett.

He said he used to go to the fire hall in his hometown, and his favorite part of the course was when he got to spray the house with water.

Jackie Taylor, Holiday Park president, said the department did not have the course last year due to pandemic protocols.

“I think it’s great that we have it back,” Taylor said. “The kids like it. It’s free of charge. It gets kids knowing who your firemen are, see them in everyday life so hopefully they won’t be afraid of them. It’s just something fun for them to do, and every kid wants to be a fireman. Who doesn’t want to become a fireman?”

Food vendors included Pappy’s Kettle Corn, Kona Ice, Pittsburgh Smokehouse, Let’s Taco and PGH Crepes.

Festivities concluded with a Zambelli fireworks display.