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Spirit of the River wine and arts festival to raise funds for Ohiopyle community

By Diana Lasko dlasko@heraldstandard.Com 4 min read
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The festival will feature 56 artists and vendors. (Photo courtesy of Spirit of the River: Ohiopyle Wine, Music and Arts Festival committee)

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Spirit of the River: Ohiopyle Wine, Music and Arts Festival will take place noon to 7 p.m. May 21 on the streets in the tiny borough of Ohiopyle. (Photo courtesy of festival committee)

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Wine tasting admission tickets are sold for $20 and the patron receives a complementary tasting glass for the Ohiopyle Wine, Music and Arts Festival. (Photo courtesy of festival committee)

Spirit of the River: Ohiopyle Wine, Music and Arts Festival, now in its second year, is exactly as described and yet so much more.

The festival, set for noon to 7 p.m. May 21, has a twofold mission, showcasing musicians, artists and vendors and raising funds for the operation and maintenance of the borough of Ohiopyle, the Ohiopyle-Stewart Community Center and the Ohiopyle-Stewart Volunteer Fire Department.

With a limited property and mercantile tax base, the community of Ohiopyle finds it difficult to sustain basic needs for its tiny population like keeping the streetlights on, the streets plowed in the winter and the grass cut in the summer. Not to mention the big responsibility of the borough, which is the funding the operation of the sewage plant that serves a large state park and the 1 million visitors who come through it.

“This tiny town with a population of like 35 is responsible for so much. It’s huge and what made me get involved. I went to a borough meeting, and I had no idea that they are responsible for the sewage plant. This tiny little town is responsible for keeping the river clean in the middle of a state park. We want to raise money to upgrade our sewage plant,” said Kathy Hagen, festival co-organizer and owner of Oddly Enough on Sherman Street in Ohiopyle.

Last May, the Spirit of the River: Ohiopyle Wine, Music and Arts Festival sold 500 tickets/glasses and raised $12,500 for the borough.

“When borough officials got that check, it meant so much to them. They stress over money so much. Then a couple of pumps broke at the sewage plant and that’s what the money had to be used for,” Hagen said.

Thanks to Facebook, the festival has already surpassed last year’s total, now having pre-sold 700 wine-tasting admission tickets (includes wine glass) of its 1,500 limit.

Hagen and co-organizer Vicki Marietta encourage anyone interested in attending to purchase tickest early at ohiopylefestival.brownpapertickets.com. Tickets are $20 and the group will only pre-sell another 300 wine-tasting admissions, leaving just 500 to be sold the day of the event.

“What you’re doing is paying for a glass and with that glass they can walk through seven wineries and the new distillery vendor plus three different beer tents,” explained Hagen.

However, she stresses the mission behind the festival is still paramount.

“We’re not encouraging people partying, we’re encouraging people donating.”

So in addition to tasting opportunities with Christian W. Klay Winery, B&L Wine Cellars, Glades Pike Winery, La Vigneta Winery, Ridge Runner Distillery, University Wine Co., Bushy Run Winery and Mazza Vineyards, there are 56 art vendors and musical entertainment throughout the day.

A street map of the area around Sherman and Lincoln Streets will be available outlining the vendors that range from potters, painters and jewelry artists to furniture, soap-makers, healthy products, and primitive arts and crafts.

Outside of the fire hall, acoustic musical entertainment will be provided by Randy Myers, Gashouse Annie, Jeff King and Ferncliff Collective.

The festival will also offer blacksmith demonstrations and crafts for children.

“Everything is free other than wine tasting,” said Hagen.

But the fundraising efforts will continue through a silent auction and 50/50, which will fund other efforts in the borough.

Most of the streets in the borough will be closed to vehicular traffic, and Hagen suggests festival goers consider carpooling due to limited parking within Ohiopyle State Park.

“If you know Ohiopyle, you know what you’re getting into,” joked Hagan. “But on Sugarloaf Road there are three parking lots you can only see one but there are two more up there.”

Hagen also recommends arriving early, and bringing a lawn chair, an umbrella and cash.

“Cash is best. It keeps the lines moving. Nothing slows things down like a credit card with a chip in it,” Hagen said.

With no security issues last year and the event a success, continuing to grow the festival for the sole purpose of helping the borough meet the demands of being a tiny resort town is a no-brainer for Hagen and Marietta.

“I’m privileged to have a business in Ohiopyle, and I’m happy to give back,” said Hagen. “A million visitors come through there — they deserve clean water.”

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