K-9 officer Blek chosen as grand marshal of Fort Ligonier Days parade

When Lt. Eric Eslary and his K-9 partner, Blek, made their way down Main Street in the Fort Ligonier Days parade, the crowd would erupt with applause in a show of support for the Ligonier Township officers.

“(Eslary) was always at Fort Days helping with the public safety,” police Chief Michael Matrunics said. “He played a very important role in handling the public safety, using Blek for crowd control.”

This year, Blek will serve as the grand marshal of the Fort Ligonier Days parade on Saturday, Oct. 10. The German shepherd, who was hurt in the May 5 wrong-way crash that killed Eslary, will be led by Eslary's widow, Mary Beth Eslary.

Anna Weltz, executive director of the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce, said this is the first time a dog has been the grand marshal of the parade.

“I think it's a great opportunity for the Ligonier community, as well as visitors from outside of Ligonier, to pay respects to Eric and celebrate his life and legacy,” Weltz said. “It's another way to thank the entire Eslary family and Blek for their courage and service to our community.”

Matrunics said the K-9 is recovering well from the injuries he suffered in the crash. Blek is living with Eslary's widow.

On Aug. 11, the township supervisors will announce Blek's retirement as well as the retirement of Eslary's badge number.

Past grand marshals in the parade have included Arch Sweeney, who developed the Oakwood Hills neighborhood of Ligonier and played a major role in organizing the bicentennial parade; Hadley Martin of Martin's Store in Ligonier; Bill Dice, a military serviceman and well-known local resident; and Charlie Stahl, a long-time employee at Fort Ligonier.

Fort Ligonier Days committee co-chairman Bill Stablein said there is no specific criteria used in choosing a grand marshal, and one isn't selected every year. He said the decision to invite Blek was because the crash and Eslary's death were “the most significant thing that happened in this community” this year.

“We're just honoring a local fella that died prematurely,” he said.

“He and the dog are part of the community,” said parade co-chairman Tom Stablein. “They've been in the parade for years.”

He said Eslary has represented the police department at the festival for many years.

“Every parade, I turned around, and Eric and the dog were there,” he said.

“On parade morning, every one of the local police is right there to assist us in any way that they can to get the parade running and get it moving,” he said. “He's been one of the guys that's been standing right there to do anything he can do to help us, along with the other officers.”

Other K-9 units, including Officer Bob Derk and his partner from Latrobe, will march in the parade.

Blek will be at the start of the lengthy parade that will feature at least 10 marching bands, Syria Temple Shrine units, antique automobiles and other historical units, Mr. McFeeley and Pittsburgh Dad.

The three-day festival, which commemorates the battle of Fort Ligonier fought on Oct. 12, 1758, will be held Oct. 9-11. This year's event will include almost 200 craft vendors, food stands, artillery demonstrations and battle re-enactments at Fort Ligonier, live music, a 5K race, a wine-tasting booth, children's activities and a Saturday night fireworks show.

For more information, visit fortligonierdays.com.

Nicole Chynoweth is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-850-2862 or nchynoweth@tribweb.com.