Weather or Not, We Gather

Sarah Komatsu • June 20, 2025

Rainy Skies Won't Get Us Down

If you were at the market last Tuesday, you know: the weather did everything. Warm sun, sudden rain, clear skies, torrential downpour, back to sunshine, and—finally—one last burst just as things were winding down. But even with the sky showing off, the market carried on. Rain jackets, umbrellas, muddy shoes—none of it stopped this community from showing up.


There’s something pretty special about that. It’s not just about vegetables or vendors. It’s about the kind of week where, even with storm clouds overhead, there’s comfort in seeing familiar faces, picking up produce you know was grown nearby, and feeling connected to something rooted and real. It says a lot about this town—how loyal Bethel Park is, and how deeply this market is woven into our community’s rhythm.


Our second Bite of the Market tasting featured a refreshing pasta salad with gluten-free pasta from Café Chocolade, fresh vegetables from Jose Quiroz and Jodikinos Farms, and a splash of black garlic oil from The Olive Tap, plus one of their premium vinegars that somehow infused the bite with a hint of pepperoni—despite none actually being there. The rain may have slowed foot traffic, but it still sparked great conversations and a bump in sales for the folks who made it all possible. It’s amazing what one good bite can do.


Next Tuesday (June 24), we’re wrapping up National Children’s Month with KID AT HEART day—think bubbles, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, and hula hoops. Whether you're seven or eighty-seven, we all need a little play sometimes. And yes, there will be another tasting, too.



Every week at the market is a reminder that what we grow, share, and eat matters—and that the strongest roots aren’t always the ones in the ground.

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Today (Friday, June 20) , Municipal Contractor Youngblood Paving will be PAVING Locust Rd./Lawrence Dr. (Kevin Dr. - Locust Rd.) , Kevin Dr. (End - Baptist Rd.) , and Hillard Rd. (Sylvania Dr. - Milford Dr.) and MILLING Brookside Blvd. ( Bethel Church Rd. - Kennebec Rd.) and Brookdale Dr. (USC Line - Brookside Blvd.). Work will run until 7 p.m. with flaggers on site to assist with traffic. We’ll continue to provide updates next week.
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Bethel Park will be holding its annual Memorial Day Program on Monday, May 26 to remember and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. The program will feature an 8:50 a.m. Morning Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Plaza in front of the Municipal Building (5100 W. Library Ave.) followed by a parade stepping off at 10 a.m. from the site and ending at Bethel Presbyterian Cemetery for a service there. Refreshments will also be available for guests prior to the Morning Ceremony in Council Chambers (5100 W. Library Ave.) at 8:15 a.m. “This program has become an esteemed tradition for our community,” said Bethel Park Council President John Oakes. “I’d like to thank everyone who has planned this very special event and to thank Dick Jewell who will be this year’s speaker.” Jewell who said he’s “honored to have this opportunity,” is a longtime Bethel Park resident who received the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal for doing an outstanding job in the legal work he conducted for the various commanders at the Third Cav. Since moving to Bethel Park in 1956 as a child, he has attended every Memorial Day Parade except for two when he was serving in the Army. Jewell’s speech will focus on the true meaning of Memorial Day and include many military references including General MacArthur’s “Duty, Honor and Country” speech that he made at West Point in 1962. “This program is quite unique in that it involves so many groups coming together to remember those who’ve paid the ultimate price for our freedom,” said Bethel Park Manager Kristen Denne. The parade route will begin at the Municipal Building, head left onto Highland Ave., left on Bethel Church Rd., and end at Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Any changes to the Memorial Day program due to inclement weather will be announced on Memorial Day by 7 a.m. on all Bethel Park social media outlets and website ( www.bethelparkpa.gov ) . Splash Park to Open for the Season! Bethel Park’s 1.05-acre Splash Park will open for the season on Saturday, May 24 at 11 a.m. for seasonal members and 12 p.m. for all other guests. The Splash Park is located on Park Avenue next to the Bethel Park Community Center (5151 Park Ave.). The $3.5 million park opened in May 2024 and features two areas: one for younger children with a river component to float toys as well as a larger area for all ages with various spray toys and other features. It’s also ADA accessible, is fully fenced, has a pavilion available to rent on site, has air-conditioned restrooms, and is fully staffed with Recreation seasonal employees. Regular Splash Park hours are 12 – 7 p.m. Sunday – Saturday (7 days a week) throughout the season (weather permitting), with an earlier 11 a.m. opening for Seasonal Members. Seasonal Memberships are $50 per household for Bethel Park Residents only; residents can also purchase 10-day Punch Passes for $27 a pass or Single Day passes for $3/per person. Single Day passes are available to non-residents for $5/per person. Day passes can be purchased at the Splash Park (credit/debit only) . Memberships and/or passes must be purchased prior to visiting the Splash Park. Questions about memberships, passes or pavilion rental? Call the Bethel Park Community Center at 412-851-2910 or visit www.bethelparkpa.gov . With expected cooler temperatures this weekend, hours may vary. Any changes will be announced on Recreation’s social media outlets.
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