15th annual Village for Kids returns Monday

By the MVI

“It takes a village,” is an expression that we’ve all heard at one time or another when talking about parenting and/or taking care of our families and our communities.

While we work hard to be independent go-getters, we all have times in which we rely on those around us — our families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates and church community — to accomplish our goals, get us connected with resources during hard times, celebrate life occasions and more.

It’s fitting then that each year on the second Monday in August, Renziehausen Park serves as the venue for “the village” to come together.

McKeesport’s three-day music, dance and food festival — International Village — kicks off Tuesday on Stephen Barry Field and under the Andrew J. Jakomas Blue Top Pavilion.

Now in its 15th year, the “Village for Kids” event will be held Monday — a day before International Village begins. It is planned by the McKeesport office of state Sen. Jim Brewster, D-McKeesport, and is also sponsored by Brewster, McKeesport Mayor Mike Cherepko/City of McKeesport.

Village for Kids is now known around McKeesport as the precursor to International Village.

“The Village For Kids started as a kid-focused day to kickoff the 50th anniversary of International Village,” according to Alison Piccolino, who is the director of external affairs for Brewster’s office and has taken the lead planning the Village for Kids event since its inception.

Piccolino previously said the goal for the event in its inaugural year was for it to be “like a kid’s International Village,” but instead of booths highlighting cultures from around the world and featuring food and wares from various countries, it features an information fair where parents and families can learn about various area organizations that have kids and families at the center of their mission and offer resources for them.

The event also features fun, games and healthy snacks for kids.

“That first year, the excitement of the event was contagious,” Piccolino said. “From the stage, Sen. Brewster — then Mayor of McKeesport — asked the kids if they ‘wanted to do this again’ and the entire crowd screamed ‘yes!’” Piccolino said she and Brewster turned to each other on stage after hearing the excitement.

“We knew this was the beginning of something great,” she said as she reflected on the inaugural year of Village VILLAGE FOR KIDS • 18