Greater Pittston has a tendency to get a little “bazaar” when summer hits, and this year will be no different as various churches and organizations are preparing for their annual outings.
St. Joseph Marello Parish will kick off the bazaar season with its annual two-day picnic from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, June 2 and from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 3 at the church grounds at 237 William St. in Pittston.
Tasked with heading the event this year are Toni Fath and Julie Bingham, who have been named co-chairpersons. Fath said this is her first year taking control of the reigns.
“Every year, they change it up looking for someone to take charge,” she said. “It’s been a quick lesson for me, but we’ve been enjoying doing it, too.”
The picnic will feature various Italian foods such as pizza, porketta, pepper, egg and cheese rolls, sausage and pepper sandwiches, boneless chicken bits, fries and more. Beverages include soda, bottled water, beer and wine.
There will also be games for children and a flea market for other patrons.
“We have a flea market that has everything from Christmas items to children’s toys,” said Fath. “There are some odds and ends, and knick knacks. They have some small appliances like crock pots, coffee pots and it’s a mosh of everything. And, of course, jewelry.”
Fath said the items for the flea market are donated by members of the parish.
Entertainment on tap include Sweet Pepper and The Long Hots on June 2 and Flaxy Morgan on June 3.
With onlya few days to go, Fath is eager to get the event started.
“I’m looking for a successfull event, good weather and a lot of people to come and enjoy our picnic and see how friendly and welcoming our parish is,” she said.
On the other side of the bridge is the annual Strawberry Festival & Mini Flea Market, hosted by the First United Presbyterian Church.
The event will be held from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 3, rain or shine, at the corner of Wyoming Avenue and Institute Street in Wyoming.
Church pastor, Rev. Jim Thyren, said the event has been going on longer than he’s been in the area, which is over 30 years, and this is the second time the event has switched locations.
“This will be our second year holding the festival at the institute at Wyoming and the grove next to it,” he said. “Previously, we’d been in West Pittston at our first location (on Exeter Avenue) that we sold a few years ago and then, in between, we were at St. Cecelia’s in Exeter.”
Thyren noted the Exeter Avenue location was heavily damaged during the floor of 2011, and the church opted to sell the building rather than refurbish it.
The strawberry festival portion of the event includes foods such as ice cream, hot dogs, pulled pork and, of course, strawberries.
The flea market consists of items donated by parishioners which could be anything they want to get rid of, Thren said.
Thyren said the event practically runs itself, but that doesn’t diminish what it’s all about.
“The food and fellowship,” he said. “A lot of folks drop by to sit around the tables for a little while. People catch up with people they haven’t seen through the winter months.”
