A beautiful day in the neighborhood: WQED to host Be My Neighbor Day in Canonsburg
For Canonsburg residents, every day is, arguably, a beautiful day in the neighborhood, but Saturday is shaping up to be especially lovely. On that day, WQED will transform Canonsburg into Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, as part of its 10th annual Be My Neighbor Day celebration.
“We’re so deeply grateful and honored that WQED chose us to participate and partner for this special day,” said Lisa Scarmazzi, economic director for Canonsburg Borough. “This is a special day for families in the community, highlighting and celebrating various traditions or historical aspects of Canonsburg. There are going to be fun activities, service projects, at locations, and a special appearance. It’s just gonna be a fantastic day.”
A free walking tour of Canonsburg begins at 11 a.m. and includes four fun-filled stops in the burgeoning downtown.
Families are invited to enjoy free Daniel Tiger-themed activities at Frank Sarris Public Library for the duration of the event. From there, Be My Neighbor Day participants are encouraged to hop over the hill to ARC Human Services for more Daniel Tiger fun and holiday-themed presentations, including the history of the borough’s famous Fourth of July parade, at 12:15 and 1:15 p.m.
Just across the street from ARC, Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church has whipped up a delicious array of presentations and hands-on activities.
“The UP Church congregation has graciously volunteered to bake cookies and set up a cookie table, so children can see firsthand what a cookie table actually is,” Scarmazzi said. “Sarris Candies will be distributing Sarris candy to the children, and Frankie Twist will give a brief presentation on the history of Sarris Candies, which is one of our most famous traditions of Canonsburg.”
Laura Magone, who founded the Wedding Cookie Table Community Facebook page in 2015, will present on the history of Pittsburgh’s wedding cookie table, and kids will have the chance to create greeting cards, to be delivered – with a cookie! – to residents of the Canonsburg senior high rise community.
Art abounds at the Canonsburg Senior Center, just down the road from UP Church, where Be My Neighbor Day guests are invited to participate in a community project. A large mural, designed by the Canon-McMillan High School art department, has been broken into small sections so everyone who drops into the center can contribute to the masterpiece.
“Families will have the opportunity to color one piece of the mural. It will be assembled and displayed at the Canonsburg Senior Center,” Scarmazzi said.
At each of the four stops along the Be My Neighbor trail, visitors are invited to contribute to a family journal or read posters created by local kids about why they love living in Canonsburg.
“The event in Canonsburg is shaping up to be an immersive experience for everyone involved,” Denise Pazuchanics, program coordinator of WQED’s Ready to Learn Project, said in an email. “Through music, art, history, food, and holiday traditions, attendees will learn what makes Canonsburg special, and reflect on their own family traditions. Interactive exhibits will immerse participants in hands-on experiences, while educational workshops led by local experts will offer deeper insights into the community’s heritage.”
For a decade, Be My Neighbor Day has afforded municipalities throughout the Pittsburgh region and beyond this opportunity for deeper connection to the community and one’s neighbors. Since its inception, Fred Rogers Productions has, through partnership with PNC’s Grow Up Great program, expanded Be My Neighbor Day into almost 40 PBS markets across the country, reaching nearly 300,000 people in person.
“When the first Be My Neighbor Day was held in Pittsburgh on March 22, 2014, Fred Rogers Productions and WQED partnered with United Way of Allegheny County and the YMCA. Families were invited to visit four YMCA locations in the region to participate in activities designed to give back to the community,” said Brittany Smith,director of community engagement at Fred Rogers Productions. “Children also had the opportunity to have their photo taken with Daniel Tiger.”
The silly, striped tiger will visit Canonsburg this weekend. He will be at the Canonsburg Senior Center for photos throughout the day. Frankie Twist, Sarris’ mascot, will also pose for photos at UP Church.
It’s Canonsburg’s rich local tradition – not only of chocolate, but of community that bands together – that inspired WQED and Fred Rogers Productions to host Be My Neighbor Day’s tin anniversary in the borough.
“It’s a great community,” said Pazuchanics. “WQED has been working there for four years and noticed how involved and excited people are. Also, Canonsburg always gets involved in celebrations, which made it a perfect fit for Be My Neighbor Day.”
Canonsburg will welcome neighbors from near and far to celebrate from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23.
“We’ve worked so long on this project,” Scarmazzi said. “It’s a special day.”
For more information on Be My Neighbor Day 2024, visit https://www.canonsburgboro.com/calendar.