End of Summer Bash: Kids enjoy Bethel Park event before school resumes

The timing of an End of Summer Bash in mid-August may seem a bit interesting, but it fits right in with how youngsters and their parents view the season.

“It’s our last big kids’ event before they go back to school,” Lindsey Sibert, Bethel Park Recreation special events coordinator, said. “This is always a fun one. It’s always a great turnout.”

Indeed, Simmons Park was packed on Aug. 12 for this year’s Bash, the latest in the municipal series of Park & Play events that continue into September and October.

With a petting zoo stationed on the way from the parking lot to the center of festivities, children had an opportunity to visit with friendly animals before heading over to enjoy the likes of games, face painting and checking out all the features of the park’s playground.

A special attraction came courtesy of South Park Theatre and executive director Lorraine Mszanski. She and some of the troupe’s performers brought props and costumes, with guests welcome to try on the colorful clothing.

For folks who are interested in attending productions, the fall season for children features “The Epic Quest of the Damsels in Distress,” Oct. 13-15 and 20-22, and “Nanny Claus: The North Pole Nanny,” Nov. 10-12 and 17-19.”

South Park Theatre’s Mainstage presents the comedy “Lettice and Lovage,” Aug. 24 through Sept. 9, and the set-in-Pittsburgh “Three Viewings, Sept. 21 through Oct. 7. Visit southparktheatre.com for more information.

Meanwhile, the next Park & Play event is a Battle of the Bands from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 2 at Millennium Park.

“We have a lot of great local talent,” Sibert said, and five groups were selected to participate. “They’re going to do 30-minute sets, and then we’ll have the audience pick the winner.”

The top band will receive studio time and plenty of publicity from the municipality.

On Oct. 28, Parks & Play wraps up with the inaugural Boos & Bites wine and spirits tasting event, scheduled from 3 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bethel Park Community Center. The event features samples from regional wineries, breweries and distilleries, along with local artisans and food vendors.

Tickets for guests 21 and older can be purchased at bethelpark.net/2023/07/07/boos-and-bites-bethel-parks-first-wine-cider-and-spirits-festival-oct-28th.

The Bethel Park Farmer’s Market continues from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Sept. 26 in the parking lot at 30 Corrigan Drive in South Park. The following week is the start of No-Cook Tuesdays, during which food trucks will be stationed in the lot behind the Bethel Park Community Center. Those run through November, and a once-a-month winter market is planned afterward to help ease everyone through to the spring.

By then, the time will be near for another Park & Play season.