Cranberry To Celebrate Cultural Diversity

CRANBERRY, PA -- Food and fun will mix with an underlying celebration of diversity at the third annual CranFest to be held at the township municipal center on April 8.

The free event, occurring from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature ethnic food vendors and performances from more than a dozen nationality groups appearing on two different stages.

Gary Winterhalter of the Cranberry Area Diversity Network, which co-sponsors CranFest along with the township, said preparations for the popular event are going well. More than 2,000 people attended CranFast last year, despite inclement weather.

“We’re looking forward to another good turnout,” he said. “This is a chance for people to celebrate diversity and the benefits the occur when people learn about each other and learn we’re all basically the same.”

Manning information booths in the center will be several advocacy organizations and Cranberry-area groups representing Japan, China Peru and Venezuela. Food vendors will sell South American, East Asian, Eastern European and South Asian cuisine, as well as edibles from other cultures.

Among the musical performs will be Melvin Steals, former principal of Haine Elementary School in the Seneca Valley School District. Steals co-wrote the hit 1972 Spinners song “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love.”

CranFest will be held in conjunction with Cranberry At Your Service, which spotlights the services provided by various township departments. Representatives from following departments will be on hand to answer questions: public works, public safety, parks and recreation, communications, Cranberry Highlands, finance, engineering, code enforcement and customer service.

Behind the municipal center, various township vehicles will be on hand for the interactive Touch-a-Truck experience. The vehicles will include an aerial fire truck, 20-ton dump truck, police cars, ambulance, front loader and golf cart.

Photo via Cranberry Township.