Deja Vu to Headline Downtown Canonsburg's Oldies Festival This Weekend

Last year’s Hot Diggity Dog festival in Canonsburg–created as a one-time event honoring hometown crooner Perry Como’s 100th birthday–is returning this weekend as a "celebration of oldies but goodies."

The two-day festival, which last year featured American Idol semi-finalist Adam Brock and the Washington Jazz Orchestra, exceeded everyone’s expectations in terms of attendance. It will be returning with a full slate of oldies bands under the sponsorship of America’s Pop Music Hall of Fame.  

It’s slated for this Saturday and Sunday—and organizers said volunteers are needed.

"Volunteers (are needed) to help with set up of tables and clean them at night, to sell wrist bands for beer drinkers, to pour beer, to assist with clean up, to sell memorabilia and to help with tear down," APHF's Patty Maurer said.

Those interested in helping out may contact the organization at APMHF@comcast.net or show up on site and report to the memorabilia stand for directions.

Those who would like to call ahead for information may do so by dialing 724-745-1515 or 724-222-6332.

Those interested in attending should know that the Déjà vu Band will headline the event Saturday.

A show band from West Virginia, Déjà vu describes itself as “a retrospective journey to an era of poodle skirts, juke boxes, AM radio and the ’57 Chevy.“ The five-member group presents music of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s in the sound and style of the original artists.

Also performing at Hot Diggity Dog Days will be Kardaz—best known for recording the Pittsburgh Penguins theme song—and popular oldies bands Sugarcane, American Pie and JJ Brickel and the Liberator (formerly Midlife Crisis).

Presenting the festival the same weekend as the National Pike festival seems to be a good fit, said borough manager Terry Hazlett, who described the event as an amalgamation of “Hot Diggity Dog Days” and the former “Doowopalooza” festival.

The fundraising event will include, in addition to oldies bands, food booths, a car cruise, crafts, a children’s area and attractions geared specifically to the 1950s and 1960s era.

Here's what you need to know if you want to go:

Saturday, May 18

1 p.m. - JJ Brickel and the Liberator (formerly Midlife Crisis)

4 p.m. - Kardaz

7 p.m. - Deja Vu

Sunday, May 19

Noon - American Pie

3:30 p.m. - Sugarcane

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