CLIFFORD TOWNSHIP, PA — It was all hands on deck at Clifford Township Park as volunteers prepared for Parkfest.
"Over 70 vendors and events going on. I have the Red Vision Dance team with Frank Little Bear Native American show going on at 12, 2, and 4 o'clock," said Event Coordinator Donna Jacoby.
She says the lead-up to one of the area's biggest events has not been without challenges.
Over the last few weeks, severe flash flooding took over much of downtown Clifford and even the festival's parking area.
"It was pretty scary there for a while," said Jacoby. "You know, it did a lot of damage around here, but we got it all together here at the park."
Despite nearly half a million dollars in damage caused by the flooding, Vice Chairman of the Clifford Township Supervisors Barry Searle says they are ready to go.
"The concrete benches and three of them disappeared. We can't, we can't find them, you know, you expect them to be moved or something. But, I mean, these are not aluminum benches; these are solid concrete benches, and they've gone down the street and someplace where we kind of can't find them. We have to replace them," said Searle.
"There's still concerns in the town," said Searle. "But, uh, again, it's a nice sunny day, and people are working hard to get the park ready for park fest. We've had the contractors in all the walking trails are back. They're gonna be having the horse rides, and things are gonna be good."
Morrison Concessions owner Bill Morrison says this was his first year back at the park since 2020.
"We got flooded at my place which is in Fell Township, which is right down the road. They took a big hit here with the weather," said Morrison. "We're all trying to get back together, back to normal, and hopefully, we never see a storm like that again."
And rain or shine, Jacoby says Parkfest will go on.
"If you have to bring your raincoat and galoshes by chance, I'm not gonna say it's gonna happen. Come out and support the vendors and everybody and enjoy yourself," said Jacoby.
Parkfest runs from 10 am to 5 pm this Saturday.