Crabtree Fireworks 2015

Quick decisions and fast-driving were the name of the game to make the call to get to PA for Crabtree Fireworks. After throwing the cat in the back of the car Friday afternoon, we made it to PA around midnight. We drove by the Roadhouse, and thought we saw some recognizable vehicles, but I did not stop. Sadly, I missed out on a heavy night of whiskey drinking.

In the morning when we all woke up, it was hot and muggy out. The cure for this was a trip to Ligonier Valley Beach. The Beach is an old staple that has existed off of Route 30 since the early 1900’s. It a big open concrete pool, that is fed by the crisp waters of the Laurel Highlands. This is my mom’s favorite spot in the summer. She’ll just float away all day long and we won’t see her. Flowing the old PA rules of separating drinking and fun, we chugged beers at the bar, which was behind a fence next to the pool and then ran and splashed around in the water.

Since the fireworks were postponed last year everyone had really high expectations. Matt, Fallow, and friends put on a nice show before the real event kicked off. Sadly I didn’t many picture since I was in the midst of everything, and it all happened really fast.

That night had lots of dancing (mostly amongst family members), drinking, eating, and challenges. The fields were wet from all the recent rain, so the tractors took a different path up to the viewing spots this year. 2 tractors, and 2 wagons filled up with lots of rumbling drunks.

With the Crabtree fair being under close watch, since the controversial cancellation last year everyone was waiting to see what happened. It ended up being really good, for a four-part grand finale. Upon arriving back at the pavilion, everyone finished of the kegs and delicious spikes lemonades. Nathan had the good idea of shooting blow darts at Emilee’s Happy birthday sign. Then there were some rafter races, and also a big arm wrestling competition. I stayed up until about 3:30, but things still were happening, especially in Tyler’s mind (4:30am tractor rides).

After waking up later, everyone on the farm pulled themselves together to get down to the town to watch the morning explosions. As soon as church lets out, the street erupts in a series of loud salutes. Everyone from the different sects of town comes out to enjoy the hot Sunday morning. A series of quad riders normally come ripping down into the town, people dressed in their Sunday best, hungover people from partying too much, the old guard of the town, the new guard, everyone tries not to miss it.