Parade Returns to Duquesne After Long Absence

Community Day celebration includes antique cars, horses, music

By Tom Leturgey
The Tube City Almanac
August 06, 2024
Posted in: Duquesne News

Providing a rhythmic soundtrack for the Duquesne Community Day Parade were members of the Healthy Village Learning Institute in McKeesport, including Michael Wilson, Khalid Mikell, Jornee Murphy and Keith Murphy. (Tom Leturgey photo for Tube City Almanac)

The City of Duquesne marked its annual Community Day on Saturday with its first municipal parade in nearly two decades.

Helmed by City Councilwoman Denise Brownfield and a committee of about a dozen others, the parade included elected officials, military veterans, youth cheerleaders and football players and others.

The parade officially lined up by the Duquesne City School, began at Fourth and Grant and moved up to Polish Hill Park. The weather was ideal for the nearly half-way trek, with 75 degrees, a slightly overcast and small breeze.

The event took only about 10 minutes, because a house fire on Erwin Street that started less than 30 minutes before the 11 a.m. start sent police and firefighters racing to the scene. According to Duquesne fire Chief Frank Cobb, no one was injured in the fire.

City Councilman Derek Artim, “Duke” Kirk Neal and Mayor R. Scott Adams moments before the Duquesne Community Day Parade. (Tom Leturgey photo for Tube City Almanac)

Festivities began with members of McKeesport’s Healthy Village Learning Institute beating on drums to a energetic beat. A trio of horses led the way up Grant Street, along with six people carrying a “Welcome Veterans” banner, and antique cars. One was Mayor R. Scott Adams’ personal 1966 Chevelle. Adams’ son, city Councilman Aaron Adams, drove another antique.

“We used to have a parade at the beginning of each Little League season,” said Aaron Adams, who played baseball when the last parade was held. “It’s good to have this back.”

Councilman Derek Artim and “Duke” Kirk Neal, dressed in a top hat and black coat with tails, were also among the early starters. Neal said he was the high school’s “Duquesne Duke” mascot in the late 70’s. Councilwomen Elaine Washington and Brownfield helped move others along in the line.

Allegheny County Councilman Bob Macey visits with Duquesne’s “Miss” Pat Bluett at Community Day. (Tom Leturgey photo for Tube City Almanac)

Other dignitaries include Richard Ferguson of AMVETS Rankin Post 527, state Rep. Nick Pisciottano and County Councilman Bob Macey. Church groups, a Pirate Pierogy, as well as four members of the Pittsburgh Passion women’s football team marched in the parade.

A stilt walker walked uphill alongside a juggler. “It would be best if (the walk) was level,” she joked.

Lady Dukes cheerleaders and Duquesne Dukes youth football players were also part of the event.

At the conclusion of the starting point, Michael Wilson, Khalid Mikell, Jornee Murphy and her uncle, Keith Murphy of Healthy Village, picked up their drums and other musical instruments. Jornell Murphy said it was a fun time.

Kirsten Pastrick, part of the committee that helped organize the parade, thought the event  “was terrific” and thanked the fire department and other first responders for their quick action in knocking down the fire. Trucks could be seen a couple of streets away from the park.

(Tom Leturgey photos for Tube City Almanac)

She credited Brownfield for her efforts to get groups together for the event. Plans are ongoing to get marching bands and other groups together for next year’s parade, Pastrick said.

Once at the Polish Hill Park, Community Day began with a ceremonial gun salute and playing of taps. Don Scarborough played the trumpet while fellow veterans Ron Randolph and Sam Givens fired blanks.

Vendors including “Miss” Pat Bluett, facilitator of Duquesne Partnership for a Healthy Community, talked up the city and manned a table that included raffles for lucky winners. The Partnership, People Residing In Duquesne Equally—or PRIDE—works with various other groups to improve conditions in the community.

Another table had a raffle for a blacktop grill, and others represented area churches, the Black Women’s Policy Center, Pittsburgh Area Community Schools and Duquesne City Schools.

Kids played in bouncy houses and other attractions were available.

Music played as food was being prepared and drinks were iced down. “It’s all free,” said Bluett with a smile. “That’s one of the things that makes Duquesne great.”

Tom Leturgey is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh and the editor of KSWA Digest, the online news and features home of the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance. His work also appears in The Valley Mirror and other publications.

Originally published August 06, 2024.

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