Weather doesn�??t stop fun

HAZLETON �?? A crowd of nearly 35,000 were expected to pack the streets of downtown Hazleton on Saturday to celebrate the 34th Annual Funfest Street Fair despite the inclement weather.

The annual event, organized by the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, features a large balloon-filled parade, a vintage car show and a pierogie eating contest, food and game vendors and a slate of live local entertainment.

According to Funfest Executive Director Judiann McGrogran, the severe weather dictated that many of the activities scheduled for Saturday ran on a compressed timetable and other outdoor activities were moved to inside venues.

Other unique events scheduled for the two-day festival included a pierogie slapshot contest, a meatball cook-off, a Latin music concert and teen street party, as well as the annual 5K �??Run for the Gold�?? race.

�??This is our first time at Funfest,�?� said Alex Arguello of Hazleton, who came out with his two pre-schoolers to enjoy the food and fun. �??My kids love this kind of stuff and I plan to hang around as long as the weather holds out.�?�

Organizers rescheduled Saturday night�??s planned fireworks display for tonight at 9. The popular parade is slated for today at 3 p.m.

�??I hope they do more things like this throughout the year,�?� stated Arguello.