Though the sky clouded over and rain threatened from time to time, it didn’t stop the people in Pleasant Mount from celebrating Independence Day. Folks were out in force and an estimated 1000 people came to wave to the Dairy Maids and politicians, see the fire engines and tractors, hear the music from the band and catch some candy tossed from floats.  “It’s a great day in Pleasant Mount,” said Rich Tregidgo of North Slope Farm. 
The day’s celebration started at 10 a.m. with a parade from North road to the community center and was followed by a ceremony in Samuel Meredith Park. The Pleasant Mount Historical Society presented Dan and Alice O’Neill with a plaque in appreciation for their assistance and participation in a fundraiser.
The community center awarded a plaque to Rick Reynolds, the great, great, great, great grandson of Samuel Meredith in appreciation of his participation in the Pleasant Mount Parade. Meredith, a Revolutionary War general who became the first U.S. Treasuer, lived in Pleaant Mount after the war and is buried there.For the past nine years, Reynolds has traveled to Pleasant Mount to walk in the parade dressed as his grandfather.
“We look forward to it every year,” says Mike Lisowski of Simpson, PA. “It’s only 365 days till the next one.”
The community center was open with the walls decorated with prints of artwork the library obtained from a grant received from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The grant contained 20 double-sided laminated paintings of American artists work with representations of historic paintings, photography, sculpture and architecture. Children from a local home school group hung their decorative artwork in celebration of Independence Day.  The Pleasant Mount Library’s annual book and bake sale took place in the gymnasium. Children strolled with bright blue cotton candy, sold by the boy scouts, munched on hot dogs and cupcakes and frolicked on the playground, happily awaiting the garden tractor pull, which kicked off around 12:30 p.m.                                                                                                                                    
“It’s a town thing,” says Alan Matisoff. “It’s wonderful. A lot of people getting together to celebrate.” Ann Matisoff adds, “It’s the way every town should be.” The couple’s son owns a historic home in Pleasant Mount and they travel from New Jersey each year to celebrate.
Bill Pykus, who had 11 tractors in the parade, won a plaque for the nicest looking tractor - a 1958 John Deere 630 driven by his son Tony. “I feel good about it,” says Bill Pykus. “You spend so much time prepping them and cleaning them. It feels good when you get recognition.” The tractor was a winter project he and his son Tony worked on together.
Hank Nebzydoski was won the oldest tractor award for a 1928 John Deere General Purpose. The Jonas Family of Cold Spring Farms won best float award and little Emily Matoushek won the nicest little kid float award.  
The community center is already busy making plans for 2010’s celebration which will included a fireworks display in addition to the regular events. There is a fund for fireworks and the public is welcome and encouraged to send donations: The Pleasant Mount Community Center, P.O. box 9, Pleasant Mount, PA 18453. Please mark all fireworks donations accordingly and call (570)448-2881 with questions.