💥 Big Budget Battles, Bold Grants & Local Fun—Is Your Community Winning or Losing?

💰Budget passed! 🏠Shelter news! 🚒Big grant! 🍺🎭Fun events & more happening in YOUR community!

Charles Sisk

Jul 15, 2026

📰 WEEKLY PREVIEW

* Top Stories: Pennsylvania Approves $50.8 Billion Budget
* Local Events: 95th Annual Ferndale Jubilee
* What's Trending: Ebensburg’s Movie in the Park series
* Community Engagement: Power of the Purse Gala!

* Pet of the Week: Meet Gargoyle - Adopt me!

Trivia Question❓

Which landlocked country in South America once had a navy despite having no coastline, maintained specifically because of a historic territorial loss in a 19th-century war that stripped it of its access to the Pacific Ocean?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

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Pour on Center

Pennsylvania Approves $50.8 Billion Budget After Delays

Pennsylvania lawmakers have approved a $50.8 billion state budget — nearly two weeks past the June 30 deadline — marking the fifth consecutive year the spending plan has been finalized late.

The budget passed with broad bipartisan support and notably avoids tax increases while preserving Pennsylvania's $8 billion Rainy Day Fund.

Although the approved total falls below Governor Josh Shapiro's original $53.2 billion proposal, officials note that delayed Medicaid payments bring actual spending closer to that figure.

The plan balances its books through surplus revenues, unused prior appropriations, and payment timing adjustments — a strategy some critics say relies too heavily on temporary measures.

Key investments include increased education funding for underfunded school districts, Corporate Net Income Tax reductions, public safety pensions, healthcare, transportation, and agricultural relief for fruit farmers hit by severe weather.

Abandoned Cresson Sanatorium | Cambria County, PA

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Family-Friendly Events in Cambria, July 15 – July 21, 2026

Windber Wings-N-Waves

When: Thursday, July 16, 2026, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: Windber Recreation Park – The Grand Ballroom, 160 Recreation Road, Windber, PA
What it is: A weekly summer community night where three local restaurants compete head-to-head in a wing cook-off while a live band plays on the outdoor stage. Families can also take a night swim in the park's lighted outdoor pool.
Age appropriateness: All ages — festival-style atmosphere with food, music, and swimming
Cost: Free to attend (pool swim add-on is $6/person)
Source: Visit Johnstown Events Calendar

Ebensburg Farmers' Market

When: Saturday, July 18, 2026, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Penn Eben Park, 229 West High Street, Ebensburg, PA
What it is: A community open-air market featuring local growers' produce (blueberries, corn, peppers, etc.), herbs, and homemade goods — a relaxed, walkable outing for families and a good stop for tourists wanting a taste of small-town Cambria County.
Age appropriateness: All ages
Cost: Free to attend (cash for purchases)
Source: Ebensburg Borough — Farmers' Market / Visit Johnstown listing

Shakespeare in the Park: "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

When: July 15–18, 2026, nightly at 7:00 PM (approx. 2.5-hour run time)
Where: Stackhouse Park Main Pavilion, 998 Luzerne St., Johnstown, PA (Westmont)
What it is: The Band of Brothers Shakespeare Company's 35th season of outdoor Shakespeare — this comedy is one of the Bard's most family-accessible plays. Bring a blanket or lawn chair; food available for purchase from St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church; parking and shuttle available from Westmont Hilltop Elementary School.
Age appropriateness: Good for school-age kids and up; long run time (~2.5 hrs) worth noting for younger children
Cost: $15 adults / $10 kids, military, and EMTs
Source: Stackhouse Park Events Calendar

95th Annual Ferndale Jubilee

When: Runs July 13–18, 2026 (falls within your window Wed 7/15–Sat 7/18); daily 4:00 PM–9:30 PM (rides/games open at 5:00 PM nightly)
Where: Ferndale Jubilee Grounds, 921/1921 Ferndale Avenue, Johnstown, PA
What it is: A classic small-town firemen's carnival with midway rides, games, games of chance, raffles (including a bike and backyard raffle), and fair food — run by the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Association as their annual fundraiser.
Age appropriateness: All ages; note no backpacks, pets, or bicycles allowed on the grounds
Cost: $20 per person for an unlimited ride bracelet each evening (food/games extra)
Source: AllEvents Ferndale Jubilee listing / Visit Johnstown

📚 Cambria County Library System — All Branch Events

📚 CAMBRIA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY CALENDARS

The Cambria County Library System (CCLSYS) operates 14 independent member libraries, each with its own programs and events.

The unified system calendar is at: https://cambriacounty.librarycalendar.com/events/month

The system-wide calendar (covering all branches) can be filtered by library, age group, and event type at: https://cambriacounty.librarycalendar.com/branches/select

The Cambria Buzz newsletter is sponsored by

Germantown Winery

Eat’n Park (Richland Reopening)

1461 Scalp Avenue, Johnstown, PA

While Eat’n Park is a familiar name across Western Pennsylvania, the Richland community received a massive upgrade when the brand officially unveiled its completely transformed, state-of-the-art restaurant with a Grand Opening celebration on May 29, 2026.

Located right on Scalp Avenue, this spot isn't just a restaurant—it's a multi-generational community hub where local shifts gather for morning coffee, families celebrate youth sports victories, and senior neighbors have met for decades. The brand-new building features a bright, modern architectural design, expanded seating capacity, and enhanced layout efficiencies specifically engineered to better serve the dense Richland and greater Johnstown area.

General Manager Roxanne and her dedicated local team are back at the helm, greeting familiar faces with the same neighborly care that built their reputation. "This community has given us so much loyalty through the years, and this beautiful new building is our way of giving that love right back," Roxanne shared during the opening festivities. "We aren't just filling a need for a good meal; we are providing a modern, comfortable space where neighbors can connect over a cup of coffee, families can share a memory, and everyone leaves with a smile." Beyond the physical upgrades, the location is celebrating its return by introducing vibrant new seasonal menus alongside their famous, freshly baked Smiley Cookies, ensuring that the Richland stretch remains a cornerstone for classic American comfort food.

How to Support: Stop in to check out the brand-new dining room or grab a box of cookies! They are open daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. You can call ahead for takeout orders at 814-266-5714 or use the Eat’n Park app to utilize their convenient new prepaid lobby pickup shelves.

1. Mid-Summer "Downtown Shutdown" Street Festivals

A major trend across the county's boroughs right now is turning historic downtown spaces into massive, open-air pedestrian blocks.

The Highlight: Ebensburg’s Downtown Shutdown closes down the streets at the intersection of High & Center Streets. It brings the entire community out for a massive night of outdoor dining, local shopping, and a giant street concert under the streetlights featuring popular local bands like Shallow 9.

2. High-Energy Music Festivals at Peoples Natural Gas Park

Live outdoor music is dominating the local summer scene, drawing massive crowds to Johnstown's riversides.

The Highlight: The premier event of the season is the AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival at Peoples Natural Gas Park in Johnstown. Featuring major national headliners like Greensky Bluegrass and The Disco Biscuits, it turns the park into a bustling weekend hub of foot-stomping bluegrass, rock, and local food vendors.

3. Community Homecoming & Heritage Celebrations

Honoring the deep roots of the region while throwing a massive summer party is trending heavily in the northern and central parts of the county.

The Highlights:
- The Northern Cambria County Regional Heritage Festival hits Philadelphia Avenue with a massive footprint featuring a patriotic laser show, fireworks, a cornhole tournament, and local historical displays.
- Right on its heels is Ebensburg Homecoming, a treasured annual tradition since the late '90s that draws current and former residents together for a full day of community events spanning downtown and Lake Rowena.

4. Twilight "Movies in the Park"

Families are flocking to local green spaces for free, relaxed outdoor cinema experiences hosted by community partnerships.

The Highlight: Ebensburg’s Movie in the Park series at Penn Eben Park has been incredibly popular this season. Locals bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy major summer blockbusters on the big screen, with free popcorn proudly provided by the local Dauntless Fire Company.

5. Morning Farmer's Markets & Agri-Tourism

Sourcing local and supporting Cambria County growers has become a staple Saturday morning routine for residents this summer.

The Highlight: The Ebensburg Farmer’s Market is in full swing, experiencing peak summer production. It has become a premier weekend community gathering point to grab fresh regional produce, baked goods, and handmade items from local vendors before the afternoon heat sets in.

Pro-Tip for Locals: Keep an eye out for late-summer staples heading into August, including the classic Concerts in the Park series at Penn Eben Park featuring regional favorites like Felix & the Hurricanes.

🌟 Local Shoutouts

Hats Off to Our Local America250PA Essay Contest Winners!

Our local students are proving that the future of Cambria County is in incredibly bright hands! As part of the region's historic America250PA milestone celebrations, several brilliant local high schoolers were officially recognized for their award-winning essays exploring the deep legacy of freedom and democracy. A massive congratulations goes out to first-place winner Sheraghana Hall (Richland School District), second-place winner Fiona Shi (Portage Area School District), and third-place tie-winners Gracie Parrando (Ferndale Area School District) and Kelly Mullen (Westmont Hilltop School District)!

Key Details: The students' essays and achievements are being featured as part of the county-wide semiquincentennial celebrations traveling throughout our local boroughs this month.
Source Link: Altoona Mirror

🦸 Local Heroes

Creative Minds Bring History to Life in Ebensburg and Northern Cambria

Art and history have collided this week thanks to two incredibly talented local educators and creators who have gone above and beyond to give our community something beautiful to rally around. Forest Hills High School teacher Carol Cecere completely hand-painted Cambria County’s custom Liberty Bell replica, while Northern Cambria artist J. Andrew Jacobs designed and manufactured the striking county Liberty Torch. These community masterpieces are currently traveling across our school districts and regional parks to remind us all of our shared heritage.

Key Details: You can view these incredible local art pieces on display at Veterans Park (corner of Crawford St. and N. Center St., Ebensburg, PA) alongside the old stone jail.
Source Link: Altoona Mirror

📢 Local Causes

Handling Household Waste: Balancing Conservation and Safety

Protecting our local ecosystem and keeping our beautiful neighborhoods safe is a team effort. The Altoona Area Public Library is hosting a critical, community-focused educational seminar this week specifically dedicated to helping families safely navigate, sort, and dispose of hazardous household materials without harming our local soil and water systems.

Key Details: Thursday, July 9, 2026, from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Held at the Altoona Area Public Library, 1600 5th Avenue, Altoona, PA.
Source Link: Altoona Area Public Library Calendar

🎟️ Fundraisers

Score Early Bird Perks for the Power of the Purse Gala!

Get ready for a fabulous night out that gives back directly to the earliest learners in our community! The United Way of the Southern Alleghenies has officially kicked off ticket sales and upgrades for their highly anticipated "Power of the Purse" raffle event. Every single dollar raised goes directly toward funding local Early Childhood Development and Parental Engagement initiatives right here in Cambria County.

Key Details: The main event takes place Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial (Napoleon Street, Downtown Johnstown). Tickets are $50, and paid reservations must be fully finalized by this week to secure your spot.
Source Link: United Way of the Southern Alleghenies

🤝 Volunteer Opportunities

Lace Up for the 250 Miles for America’s Trail Challenge!

The Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority is looking for community volunteers and outdoor enthusiasts to hit the pavement and the dirt! They are seeking local residents to commit to exploring, tracking, and maintaining our beautiful county trails. It's a fantastic way to improve personal wellness, showcase our gorgeous greenways, and volunteer your footsteps to hit a collective regional mileage milestone.

Key Details: Running through December 31, 2026. You can log your miles on foot or by bike across any official Cambria County public trail. Registration and progress tracking are managed through the Visit Johnstown regional trail portal.
Source Link: Visit Johnstown PA

If you apply to adopt, please let the Humane Society know that you saw the listing in The Cambria Buzz Newsletter!

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Rouse's Flower Shop & Greenhouses

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Bolivia

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Warmly,

Charles Sisk

Editor