‘Regatta on the Yough’ Event Is a Fundraiser Full of Fun

Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 September 2025 15:40

The Belle Vernon Area Rotary Club’s 5th Annual ‘Regatta on the Yough’ was held on August 24 at Cedar Creek Park. All Dry Services of Rostraver/FayWest was the main event “Captain’s” sponsor. 1^st Mate sponsors were C. Harper Auto Group, cfsbank, and PNC Bank. 2^nd Mate sponsors were AGiRepair, Inc., BeeGraphix , Coen Oil, Corleone’s Bar and Grill, Fayette Legacy Group of Janney, OSPTA, Perryopolis Auto Auction, Somerset Trust, Huntington Bank, Riverside Insurance Group and Valley First Federal Community Credit Union

Pictured (left to right) - Karen and Dave Primm took 1st place at the Belle Vernon Area Rotary Regatta on the Yough’s Paddle Parade on August 24. 2nd Place went to Autumn Dougherty and 3rd Place was won by Sue Striffler.

This Viking inspired ship won the BVA Regatta on the Yough 1st Place in the Paddle Parade.

Winning Fastest Duck in the Great Duck Race was Perryopolis VFW Post 7023, Mike Onusko, Commander and Katie Oldham, staff member and duck decorator.

Winning Best in Show Duck in the Great Duck Race was Theresa McCulloch, Theresa’s Hair Loft

A ‘Paddle Parade’ was held with the $300 best decorated prize going to Karen and Dave Primm for their Viking inspired watercraft. A banana split boat entry manned by Autumn Dougherty earned a 2^ndprize of $100 that was donated back to the Rotary, and third place was awarded to Sue Striffler for her sunflower boat. The Collinsburg VFD Water Rescue Unit was on hand to provide safety for the event, performed training demonstrations, and gave rides for the spectators.

A ‘700 Lucky Duck Derby’ was held with winners receiving $600 in cash prizes. The ‘Great Company Duck Race’ returned, where more than 50 local businesses sponsored and dressed up super sized rubber ducks for competition. Theresa’s Hair Loft won for “Best in Show” and the Perryopolis VFW won 1^st place in the race competition held on the river. Several District Rotary Clubs also entered a special Blue Duck Race, with Mon Yough Rotary taking 1^st Place.

The Kids Zone returned this year for kids age 12 and under with rain gutter ducky races, marshmallow golf, temporary tattoos, airplane flying contests and more. The Ducky Diner tent sponsored by West Meeting Center was on hand, along with music by DJ Jerry J., raffles, sponsor tents by PNC Bank and cfsbank, and more.

Co-chairs Deb Keefer and Tom Yoder and the Regatta committee have expressed their appreciation for an absolutely beautiful day and overwhelming support for this major fundraising effort.

“In addition to all of the generous sponsors, we also want to thank the Westmoreland County Parks, the Belle Vernon High School Interact Club and the Collinsburg VFD Water Rescue Team for their partnership and assistance with the event,” said Keefer.

The Belle Vernon Rotary Club funds several scholarships to Belle Vernon and Frazier students, and supports food banks, veteran’s projects, beautification efforts, families in need and more. The club donated more than $31,000 during the past year to various causes within the community. Visit www.bvarotary.com and their Facebook page to see the Club’s activities and membership information.