ATLANTA, GA, Sept. 25, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Last month, citizens and visitors to the city of Erie, Pennsylvania enjoyed another successful CelebrateErie festival. From August 15-18, over 100,000 people flooded into downtown Erie to mark summer's end with food and entertainment. U.S. Security Associates (USA), one of the event's top sponsors, supported the celebration with top-notch security service, ensuring that the four-day event ran smoothly and that festival-goers were free to relax and safely take part in the fun.
CelebrateErie opened with the Taste of Erie event, where Erie's premier chefs represent their restaurants, and Artist Colony participants display their work. On Friday and Saturday, families filled the streets to experience Kids Zone, two blocks of hands-on educational and creative activities. The festival also includes the Chalk Walk, an assembly of sidewalk art from local artists, and CelebrateDiversity, musical performances and dance presentations from around the globe. Throughout the festival, visitors were treated to concerts and musical performances as well. Headliners Sha Na Na, Bret Michaels, and Lonestar drew crowds to top off each weekend night. CelebrateErie concluded on Sunday night with a dazzling fireworks show.
With stages set up at each intersection downtown and an incredible amount of visitor traffic, public protection was paramount. USA deployed security officers to direct crowds, prevent crime, and maintain a visible security presence both downtown and near the barge from which the fireworks were launched. Additional security officers provided executive protection for Mayor Joseph Sinnott, Governor Tim Corbett, and other officials in attendance.
USA also provided executive protection for each of the festival headliners both backstage and during the performances. Trained security personnel ensured the performers' safety from arrival to departure. Bret Michaels, who fronted rock band Poison and has toured internationally since the 1980s, praised the USA personnel who protected him in Erie as the best backstage security service he has ever had, even inviting them onstage.
John Skladanowski, branch manager of USA's Erie office, states, "This is the third year we have donated security services for the CelebrateErie festival. It's one of Erie's biggest community events, and we are glad to be a part of it. We always get great feedback about our officers from everyone involved, from the performers to the mayor himself."
CelebrateErie encourages tourism to the city and gives local artists, vendors, musicians, and restaurateurs opportunities to widen their customer base and show off their skills. As a major sponsor of the event, USA invests not only in the safety of attendees but in the ongoing success of future CelebrateErie festivals.
ABOUT U.S. SECURITY ASSOCIATES
U.S. Security Associates (USA) is North America's security solutions leader, with 160 locally-responsive offices providing premier national security services and global consulting and investigations. The company provides career paths for over 46,000 security professionals serving several thousand clients and a range of industries. Innovative applications of leading-edge, proprietary technology enable USA to rank annually among the world's best training companies, meet the globally recognized ISO standard for quality management, and underscore world-class customer service with unparalleled accountability. USA's rise as one of today's largest security companies is a natural byproduct of these differentiators together with a commitment to investing in employee reward and development, giving back to local communities and relentlessly striving to be the best security company delivering Solutions for a Safer WorldTM. For more information, visit www.ussecurityassociates.com.