Pub Tour supports Dormont pool
The Dormont Pub Tour’s primary purpose is to raise money to help keep the nearly century-old Dormont pool open.
But the event, now in its ninth year, also has come to serve as a homecoming.
“A lot of people come back that day to hang out with friends and family,” said John Maggio, president of Friends of Dormont Pool, which organizes the event. “I had a guy last year tell me it's the only time he and his brother are able to get together.’’
This year’s tour, with the theme Makin’ Waves, is scheduled from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday. Here’s how it works:
• Participants can purchase a T-shirt, which is the event ticket, for $16 prior to the event or $20 that day. They are available at the 11 participating establishments and online at www.showclix.com/event/DormontPubTour2015.
• Maps of the establishments are included with the shirts. During the tour, participants are encouraged to visit each of the venues to get their maps stamped, signifying their presence.
• Participants then can turn in their maps — with name, address, phone number and email address — at the Friends of Dormont Pool courtesy tent, which will be set up at Dormont Plaza, West Liberty and Wisconsin avenues.
• Three prizes will be awarded from maps chosen in a drawing, with the top prize a family season pool pass or cash equivalent. The drawing will take place April 27, and results will be posted at http://friendsofdormontpool.org, where tour information can be found.
Friends of Dormont Pool makes money only on Tshirt sales and festive items such as hats, leis and necklaces that will be sold at the tent. Artist Johno Prascak will be there to sign prints of his colorful painting of Dormont Pool.
“We do not make any money on liquor, and we don’t promote drinking,” said Sarann Fisher, the group’s treasurer.
Participants might want to partake of Shirley Temples or virgin coladas during the evening, but the establishments also will offer specials related to the event’s sponsor, Miller Lite.
Friends of Dormont Pool was founded in 2006 as a nonprofit. For each T-shirt purchased, $10 is tax deductible, said Ms. Fisher.
Dormont Pool’s origins date to 1920, when local resident Andrew Philp dammed a creek with rocks to make a wading pool. In 1922, the borough created a larger dam for a swimming area and ice skating rink. The following year, work started on a concrete pool, and on July 4, 1929, the pool and new bathhouse were dedicated.
In 2002, the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation designated the pool a historic landmark.