The Allegheny Township Community Day Festival will return Sunday with a new location and diminished budget as sponsors shy away from an event that has been marred by claims of fiscal impropriety.

After raising more than $17,000 last year, festival organizer and township Supervisor Jamie Morabito said the nonprofit that runs the event has secured less than $3,000 this time around. Putting on the 2023 festival cost nearly $10,000.

No corporate sponsors have stepped up, Morabito noted, including last year’s leading donor, Olympus Energy. The upcoming festival will run off individual donations, leftover contributions from the previous year and, if needed, Morabito’s own money.

It’s set to take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday in Northmoreland Park.

Morabito blames the reduced funding on accusations by current and former supervisors, which he says are unfounded, of the nonprofit hiding thousands of dollars from the township and its citizens.

Then-Supervisor Rennick Steele and former Supervisor Kathy Starr signed a letter to the editor published in September by TribLive that criticized Morabito for starting a nonprofit to handle the event’s finances rather than keeping the money in a township account.

In the letter, they claimed Morabito twisted the intent of a resolution passed in 2022 to form a Community Days Committee, a first step toward reviving the festival after a nearly 20-year hiatus.

“With the remarks of the previous supervisors, it definitely, definitely hindered our ability to get very much funding or donations this year,” Morabito said.

Supervisor Mike Korns also has been critical of a nonprofit running the event. He declined to comment on whether he still believes it should be under township control but offered well wishes to organizers.

“I thought it was a great idea for Allegheny Township to have an event like this when I voted for a resolution to create a committee to organize it,” Korns said. “I still believe that and wish the best for the 2024 event.”

Despite limited funds, a small committee made up of residents Frank Weissert, Bill Ludwig and Dan Gatty, in addition to Morabito, has put together an extensive lineup of activities.

They’ve secured two bands, 11 food trucks and more than 70 crafters and vendors for the event. Other attractions include a petting zoo and bounce houses, free of charge.

Car show registration will cost $10 and be open from 8 to 10 a.m. before the festival. The first 200 cars are guaranteed spots.

Vendors have until Thursday to sign up and pay a $25 fee.

Local emergency responders also will be in attendance, bringing about a dozen firetrucks, a SWAT team armored vehicle and K-9 units with them.

Raffles will take place throughout the day to help fund next year’s event.

One difference from last year is the location, which has changed from the grounds of Kiski Area High School to Northmoreland Park. Kiski Area School Board President Todd Sterlitz attributed the change to ongoing construction at the high school.

“I think Northmoreland is a better site, but I don’t know what the future will bring,” Sterlitz said.

Morabito expressed hope the festival will “outshine” any doubters and create a township tradition for years to come. From there, he expects donations to rebound, allowing the nonprofit to give some of the excess to charitable causes, as it did last year.

“I want to invite everyone from all areas to attend,” Morabito said. “It’s going to be a wonderful family event for young and old.”