Johnstown, Pennsylvania: Community Event Features Outdoor Film and Fireworks

Fun-filled Family Films and Fireworks

Organizers of Johnstown's first Community Event have designed a celebration that is family-oriented with a potential to grow into an annual event. The fun-filled evening, which will include a full-length film on a giant inflatable screen, entertainment, a celebrity dunking booth, mascots and children's crafts, is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday at Point Stadium in downtown Johnstown. Renee Daly, economic development specialist with the city, said the genesis of the event began 11 months ago when she saw an inflatable 32-foot movie screen at a Pennsylvania Downtown Center Conference in Gettysburg and believed the Point Stadium would be an ideal place to offer a film. We had the option of getting a 32-foot inflatable screen and decided it would be a good opportunity to build an entire event around the outdoor movie, Daly said. We have a 7,500-seat stadium with plenty of room on the field to accommodate a nice crowd. The featured film is Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, which will be presented at 8:30 p.m. A fireworks display will be presented immediately following the movie. Daly said the inaugural event easily could become an annual affair. Admission is free, but we are requesting people offer a $1 donation, Daly said. Families can be assured that the stadium is a safe environment that allows children the freedom to take part in all aspects of the event without strict adult supervision. The stadium's concession stands will be open to serve goodies to the public. Daly has twisted the arms of four area celebrities to sit in a dunking booth. The list features City Manager Curt Davis; Cliff Kitner, city recreation director; Amy Bradley, communications director, Conemaugh Health System; and Jack Michaels, radio personality for WKYE-FM. We also will have a strolling magician and juggler for the children from B. Happy Entertainment, an inflatable giant slide, and lots of children's crafts and activities, Daly said. Also attending will members of Johnstown's K-9 unit. Strolling the grounds will be familiar mascots from the Johnstown Chiefs and Chuck E. Cheese. We also will be conducting two basket raffles and chances to win an autographed Evgeni Malkin jersey, Daly said. We are working hard to get a second jersey from another Pittsburgh Penguin star. Area Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops will be on hand to supervise a duck pond, the creation of friendship bracelets, jungle masks and book marks. Volunteers from the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be doing face painting. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Cambria County War Memorial Arena, 326 Napoleon St. By TOM LAVIS Source: http://www.tribune-democrat.com/features/local_story_154150537.html