Here's an open invitation to 'Come On Home'

by Bobby Cherry
Staff Writer
July 31, 2008

For more than four decades, Sewickley's black community has "come on home" to celebrate and remember good times with people they grew up with in the region.

In its 42nd year, this weekend's Come On Home event will follow traditions laid before it.

At the helm for his final time is organizer Tim Lee, who, since 1989, has led the committee in planning the tradition that in its prime brought close to 1,000 Sewickleyans back home.

"These folks grew up here and have great memories of Sewickley," Lee said.

'It's the one time a year that everyone can come back home and celebrate where we grew up and to hear stories of what Sewickley used to be."

Those returning for the weekend events are sure to recall the good old days of Sewickley and catch up on the lives of former neighbors and long-lost friends.

Though many of the "old timers" have passed away, their children and grandchildren still make the annual trek back to Sewickley.

Over the years, people have come as far as England and Japan for the weekend festivities, Lee said.

And many others make a trip across the Sewickley Bridge or down Route 65.

"We call this the Sewickley Come On Home weekend, but so many of us associated with Coraopolis, Aliquippa and Ambridge, this is really an event for the entire region," said Lee, who now lives in Coraopolis.

While many families get together for special occasions -- weddings or funerals, Come On Home is a great time for families and friends to converge "just because," said Bettie Cole, who served as organizer from 1973 to 1989.

"Come On Home speaks so eloquently to the African-American community that Sewickley is our hometown," Cole said.

"This is a celebration of our hometown, and it shows how much we love Sewickley."

She enjoys all of the events planned, but the Saturday night cabaret stands out.

"This is the centerpiece of our weekend festivities," Cole said. "So many people come home, and this gives us a chance to honor everyone who has returned."

Cole recalls the days when area hotels were booked and many people attended planned events.

"Things change," Cole said. "In its prime, it wasn't unheard of to have 1,000 people return."

And even if not as many people return, those who do return bring their children, the next generation of Come On Home visitors.

"What we hope for is that as the children see their parents and grandparents returning home for this weekend, that they continue the tradition and come on home for generations to come."