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the almanac J U LY 12, 2026

SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY NEWS

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STARS & STRIPES FOREVER

South Hills residents celebrate America with parades and fanfare By Eleanor Bailey ebailey@thealmanac.net

Red, white and blue and a hot dog too. All that peppered the celebration of America’s 250th birthday during the recent Fourth of July weekend. In Brentwood the festivities kicked off with a Battle of the Barrel between neighboring fire companies. Sprinkled between a 3.1-mile road race that attracted 2,507 registered runners and a spectacular fireworks display was the borough’s parade. Started in 1912, the route snaked 1.6 miles through the community along its main artery, Brownsville Road. In addition to the usual fire trucks, antique cars, marching bands, dance units, floats and dignitaries, this year’s cavalcade featured mascots such as the Pirate Parrot and Beary H. Bonds from the Pittsburgh-based media outlet oneBURGH as well as weatherman Jeff Verszyla, formerly of WTAE-TV. However, the citizens of the community were the main attraction. As part of the nation’s anniversary celebration, the next generation of the borough, its youth and families, carried the mantle as parade marshals.

ELEANOR BAILEY

The Pirates Parrot waves to spectators from a fire truck during the Brentwood Fourth of July parade. The Parrot was among several mascots featured in the cavalcade.

Decked in specially designed T-shirts for the event, hundreds led the way after the Allegheny County sheriff’s department carried the colors of the American flag and Pennsylvania state banner. “Emotional,” said Julie Kienzle of the celebration. “I’m so proud (to be an American) and hope for good things for our country.” Kienzle was one of the estimated 30,000 visitors who descended upon the Brentwood community for its annual Fourth of July celebration. Kienzle arrived early because

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Michele Capaccio helps her son Charlie fill his bucket with candy and goodies tossed out of vehicles and floats during the Brentwood Fourth of July parade. The Capaccios attended the celebration with their nephews, Xander, Elliott and Josie.

relatives participated in the 43rd annual Firecracker 5K Run and watched from the curbside with Claire Glenn and Paige Kulasa from Mt. Lebanon. While Kienzle spent the rest of the day nursing her husband, who recently had hip surgery, she suggested the girls still had fun things to do. “Like watching the parade,” Paige said. “The best part is the candy.” Despite being saddled with a foot cast because she broke her ankle inside her bouncy house at home, Claire added she was going to watch the fireworks in the evening. “They’re great,” she said. Hot dogs made the event even better and more complete. During the Brentwood Fourth of July festivities, Debbie Campbell and her crew from the Presbyterian Church served up free hot dogs and hamburgers as well as cold drinks. For more than 10 years, the church has offered these treats as an “outreach” to the community. The church also participates in the parade and helps with a float that collects canned goods and donations for the local food pantry. Campbell is another proud American. “It’s a great country. I love it,” she said. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.” Nowhere else would one see a hot dog running on Brownsville Road but save for the Fourth of July. Brandon Lorkovic did just that. SEE FOREVER PAGE B2

Decked out in a patriotic hat as well as dress and accessories, Charlotte Lux waits for beads and candy to be thrown from vehicles and marching units as the parade passes.

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Brandon Lorkovic dressed as a hot dog to compete in the Firecracker 5K run.

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Popsicles helped runners and spectators cool down from the heat during Fourth of July festivities in Brentwood. Enjoying their icy treats from left are: Annabelle Herrle, Jonus Ruvolo, Gabe Herrle and Leila Usanovic.

EVERYONE LOVES A PARADE! Heatwave can’t stop Canonsburg from celebrating the Fourth

The nearly triple-digit temperatures didn’t stop thousands of people from making their annual trip to Canonsburg’s 63rd annual Fourth of July parade. Over three hours, around 125 groups rode on a truck, hopped on a float, or pedaled a velocipede. To help people cope with the heat, Canonsburg opened up several cooling stations around the parade route. Many people in the parade also did their part, loading up spray bottles or squirt guns to cool down anyone in the audience who requested it. Festivities began at 7:30 in the morning with the Whiskey Rebellion 5K, and continued after the parade with activities at Canonsburg Town Park before Saturday night’s fireworks display.

LOCATION Local Boy Scouts earn Eagle rank PAGE A6 What’s happening, B3

ABOVE: Flag bearers carry a flag marking the 250th anniversary of the United States during the Brentwood Fourth Of July parade. BELOW: The Allegheny County color guard carried the United States flag as well as the Pennsylvania standard during the Brentwood Fourth of July parade.

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Roseanne Messerly of the Friends in Hayley Schehr, one of many AHN Christ Churches handed out Ameri- Canonsburg employees, sprays a parade watcher with cold water. can flags to the crowd.

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ABOVE: The Wonders Unicycle Club in Eighty Four rode unicycles and velocipedes down Pike Street during the Fourth of July Parade. RIGHT: Milabella Roberts, 2, of Canonsburg, and Nova Rayne Everett, 2, of Brookline, cooled off in a wading pool to deal with temperatures in the high 90s during the Fourth of July parade in Canonsburg.

SPORTS Brentwood Firecracker 5K race PAGE B1 Classifieds, B4

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SIGHTS & SOUNDS Heinz History Center explores the Ice Age PAGE B3 Real estate transactions, A4