Rockin’ opening for Summerfest

Six Gun Sally entertained the crowd on the first night of the festival in Monongahela.

Hundreds flocked to opening night of Summerfest for food, games and rocking tunes Friday at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish Park in Monongahela.

Night one of St. Andrew’s decades-long tradition featured a performance by rock band Six Gun Sally, along with barbecue, beer, wine and carnival games.

“It’s nice to come out here, have a little bit of barbecue, have a beer and listen to the music,” parish business manager Joe Caruso said. “It’s a different kind of feel, so I just love the summer vibes.”

Rev. Levi Hartle, who joined the parish this week after Rev. Kevin Dominik’s departure, was in attendance Friday. He spent much of the night greeting parishioners, shaking hands and sharing smiles.

“The people are what I live for, loving God and loving others is kind of my life,” Hartle said.

Hartle’s first weekend Mass will take place at Parish Park at 4 p.m. today.

“It’s very exciting,” he said. “When I saw all this stuff, I was like we have an insane potential of what we can do here.”

Six Gun Sally played a mix of originals and covers of classic rock songs. The seven- piece band paid tribute to iconic groups such as Led Zeppelin, The Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers Band.

The rock band also played “Stand Up,” which will be part of its next album.

Six Gun Sally is a Mon City favorite, as evidenced by the dozens of attendees wearing the band’s merchandise. People of all ages danced along to the sound of the band’s high-energy set.

“They play all the great hits of yesteryear, and they’ve got some good originals too,” said a man wearing a Six Gun Sally T-shirt who did not wish to be named. “That’s something, I think, that is rare. I try to see them every chance I get.”

Six Gun Sally will return to Monongahela next week for a 6 p.m. show at the Aquatorium with the Artimus Pyle Band.

Summerfest continues at 11 a.m. today, with a one-hour break for Mass at 4 p.m., and concludes at 10 p.m. Southern rock band Push will take the stage from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

St. Andrew’s next big event, Festival of Nations, will take place Aug. 10 in Charleroi.