The debut of Ambridge Nationality Days, Part 2

The first Ambridge Nationality Days were a hit, a huge hit. Not only did the groups running booths make more money than they had expected, the event brought the Ambridge community together like nothing else in memory. Nationality Days were something for Ambridge to be proud of and other communities to envy.

TWO DOLLS - Christine Molchen, 3, of Ambridge, gazes longingly at a doll in the Polish Falcons booth at the Ambridge Nationality Days observance. It is one of the items for sale at the booth.
Beaver County Times, April 29, 1966

PRETTY QUARTET - These four girls from the Polish Falcons booth didn't let the weekend rains hamper their fun in the Nationality Days observance which ended Saturday in Ambridge. From left they are Patty Miloszewski, Ambridge; Linda Ferrence, Hopewell Township; Patty Swiatek, Ambridge; and Debbie Ferrence, Hopewell.
Beaver County Times, May 2, 1966

The enormous success of Nationality Days from its opening morning on took everyone involved by surprise. The April 29, 1966,  Beaver County Times explained the popularity: "Never before in this area were so many different foods available within an area of less than a block."

Theodore Gaydos, the executive secretary of the Greater Ambridge Chamber of Commerce, which sponsored the event, described the turnout for the first day as "fantastic." He said, "Many people have told me this is the greatest thing ever to hit Ambridge." And as an event, it probably was.

Thousands came the first day and bought food from the booths. In fact, by mid-day, the crowds had bought almost all the food from a number of booths, food that was supposed to last the entire three days of the event.

That caught the groups running the booths by surprise. One worker said, "We had what we thought was a three-day supply of food on hand, but most of it was gone by 1 p.m." All of the booths ran out of supplies.

According to the Times, "Many women spent most of last night baking in order to provide fresh stocks" for the second day, when charter buses and a shuttle service were about to bring many more people from out-of-town.

Over its three days, the first Ambridge Nationality Days attracted around 10,000 people, according to a Times article about its 1967 sequel. No one was quite prepared for the amazing 1967 turnout either when 10,000 people showed up the first day.

Here are more of the special Nationality Day ads from some fondly remembered, and some perhaps barely remembered, Ambridge businesses. What impresses me is the willingness of all of these businesses to support Nationality Days, even though some of them were rather unlikely to see an increase in business because of the event.

Want a new kitchen now that you've been inspired to cook all those ethnic dishes you sampled during Nationality Days?

Accent Kitchens ad,
Beaver County Times, April 27, 1966

Altmeyers ad,
Beaver County Times, April 27, 1966

In case you felt the need to pick up some cement blocks during your Nationality Days visit:

Ambridge Cement Block Co. ad,
Beaver County Times, April 27, 1966

If you have any money left after buying so much delicious food at Nationality Days, open a saving account!

Ambridge Savings and Loan Association ad,
Beaver County Times, April 27, 1966

Need a new bed or mattress to rest up after hours visiting the booths or dancing too many polkas?

Ben's Furniture ad,
Beaver County Times, April 27, 1966

Enelow Shoes ad,
Beaver County Times, April 27, 1966

Garvin's Paints ad,
Beaver County Times, April 27, 1966

James Restaurant ad,
Beaver County Times, April 27, 1966

Penneys ad,
Beaver County Times, April 27, 1966

If you don't need anything at Penneys, perhaps some meat from Penny?

Penny Cash Market ad,
Beaver County Times, April 28, 1966

Pittsburgh National ad,
Beaver County Times, April 27, 1966

Terner's Fine Men's Clothing ad,
Beaver County Times, April 27, 1966

Wall's Feed Store ad,
Beaver County Times, April 27, 1966

Singer ad,
Beaver County Times, April 27, 1966

Taylor's All Star Dairies ad,
Beaver County Times, April 27, 2966

Did you have a hard time hearing the Nationality Days music?

Professional Hearing Aid Center ad,
Beaver County Times, April 27, 1966

Saralee's Children's Store ad,
Beaver County Times, April 27, 1966