Nationality Days Brings Three Days of Cultural Entertainment

Jenifer Watkins is getting a crash course with the 48th annual Ambridge Nationality Days. 

"Talk about trial by fire," she said with a laugh. 

As the new executive director of the Ambridge Chamber of Commerce, this is Watkins' first year coordinating the three-day heritage festival that begins today. Watkins credits the volunteers, whom she said have largely helped to pull off the big event. 

"We have this great group of volunteers that come together as a team and are realy working well together. I think almost everybody is a volunteer so that's phenomenal. We couldn't do it without the support of the community."

This year is a first for the Art Mart, a display of artists in the 400 block of Merchant Street, and for Beaver County's Got Talent, a professionally-judged competition with a cash reward for first, second, and third-place. Also new is the car cruise on Sunday in the 400 block. 

As in previous years, businesses, organizations and churches will sell homemade ethnic cuisine and crafts. There will be games for children, pony rides and cultural entertainment from two stages this year.

Nationality Days runs 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Here's the Line-up of Entertainment:

Friday, May 17

Noon-12:30 p.m.—Welcome

Noon-1 p.m.—Lincoln Park Jazz Group, 7th Street Stage

12:30-2 p.m.—Communication Breakdown, Main Stage

1-2 p.m.—Lincoln Park Steel Drums, 7th Street Stage

2-4 p.m.—Tyrants of Tolerance, Main Stage

2-4p.m.—Arnie Steinberg, 7th Street Stage

4-6 p.m.—The Sidewinder Band, Main Stage

4-6 p.m.—James Tobin, 7th Street Stage

6-7 p.m.—Ambridge Steel Drums, Main Stage

6-8 p.m.—Alvin Zakewski, 7th Street Stage

7-9 p.m.—Michael Christopher Band, Main Stage

Saturday, May 18

10-30-11:30 a.m.—Parade on Merchant Street

Noon-1 p.m.—Hellenic Dancers

Noon-2 p.m.—David Shingler

12-4 p.m. Art Mart, 400 block of Merchant St.

1-2:30 p.m.—Beaver County's Got Talent, Main Stage

2-4 p.m.—Edenlight, 7th Street Sage

2-3 p.m.—Jadran Beaver Valley Jr. Tamburitzans, Main Stage

3-5 p.m.—Billy the Kid, Main Stage

4-6 p.m.—Leanne Regalla and the Lost Marbles, 7th Street Stage

5-7 p.m.—Twelve Inch Tom, Main Stage

6-7 p.m.—Brenda's Notes, 7th Street Stage

7-9 p.m.—Dave Iglar Band, Main Stage

Sunday, May 19

10 a.m.-4 p.m.—Car Cruise, 400 block of Merchant St. 

Noon-1 p.m.—Ambridge Area High School Choir, 7th Street Stage

Noon-1:30 p.m.—For Those About to Rock Academy, Main Stage

1-2 p.m.—Blaming Murphy, 7th Street Stage

1:30-2 p.m.—River Valley Tang Soo Do Academy, Main Stage

2-3 p.m—Doris Singer Dance Studio, Main Stage

2-3 p.m.—Alvin Zalewski, 7th Street Stage 

3-4 p.m—Celtic Spirit Highland Dancers and Pipers, Main Stage

3-4 p.m—Greater Dominion Church of the Millennium, 7th Street Stage

4-6 p.m.—The River Blackwater Band, Main Stage

4-6 p.m. Holly Mathias, 7th Street Stage

The Main Stage is located in front of the Chamber of Commerce building, 562 Merchant St.