Scott Township Gears Up For Sesquicentennial

Scott Park always throws a big bash on the Fourth of July. This year, the township is planning to outdo themselves for the Sesquicentennial event at the park. Scott Township was established in 1861.

Tuesday at the Scott Township Commissioners Meeting, Allegheny County Councilman, Mike Finnerty said, "Scott is probably one of the best kept secrets in Allegheny County.” He attended the meeting in recognition of the 150 year anniversary.

In the park, a time capsule, currently on display at the Community Room, will be sealed and buried at 10 a.m. It is slated to be reopened in 2061, at the 200 year anniversary of the township.

During the day hundreds of activities will be taking place.

There will be a memorial service at noon, culminating in a flag-raising and a historical re-enactment. Some of the fun events include a magic show and cake contest. Additionally, a band, The Mansfield Five, will be performing hits from the Disco, Motown and Doo Wop eras, at Locust Grove from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

On the small ball field, there will be a series of baseball games, and a Mighty Mites game on the big field.

In the pool, there will be games and prizes galore. The Scott Conservancy will be selling 50/50 raffle tickets for the annual “Rubber Ducky Race.” If you purchase a ticket, a duck with your raffle number on it will be entered into the race, which is scheduled to take place at 3:50 p.m. All are encouraged to watch the ducks swim down the water slide and race across Scott Pool. Proceeds benefit the Scott Conservancy and will be used to maintain the Kane Woods Nature Area for community use.

At 6 p.m. the pool will close and will reopen at 7 p.m. and everyone is invited to enter for one dollar; however, no passes will be accepted at this time. Participants can watch the fireworks from the pool, and, because it’s a special night, families are encouraged to bring balls and rafts and other floatable toys, which is usually against pool policy.

But, since it is the Fourth of July, the main event will be fireworks at 9:31 p.m., on the dot.

“It’s a great view. The fireworks happen right out there,” said Ron Ellis, manager of Scott Pool, pointing to the large ball field, a straight line from the pool.

Ellis continued, “It’s going to be tremendous. It’s going to be a super, super day. We have all sorts of prizes to give out. I will be giving out tickets to each boy and girl that comes into the pool on the Fourth of July and then I will draw the names of three boys and three girls every hour. The winners will come up here and claim their prize.”

Additional parking will open up on the Fourth to accommodate the overflow, but Ellis warned, “Come early we’re expecting 600 to 700 people here at the pool and more throughout the park.”

“The weather man said it was going to be in the high 80’s. So we’re going to have great weather and we’re all looking forward to it,” said Ellis with a smile on his face.