Be local means enjoying area festivals
The 45th annual National Road Festival takes place May 18-20 across the 90-mile span of the Historic National Road in Pennsylvania as communities across Somerset, Fayette and Washington Counties turn out to host activities that include entertainment, food and wagon trains.
That same weekend, the Sheep and Fiber Fest is being held May 19-20 in Waynesburg where festivalgoers can see spinning, weaving and shearing demonstrations, and dog shepherding as well as lamb cooking and sampling.
And the Spirits of the River Wine and Arts Festival is set for May 19 in Ohiopyle, featuring artisans, music and wine samplings along with local distilleries and breweries.
Be Local means supporting these and other area festivals in a season that ramps up now and continues through the fall.
That includes the Connellsville’s Geranium Festival on May 26 and the Albert Gallatin River over Memorial Day Weekend.
Coming up this summer and into the fall, there’s the River Fest in Rices Landing, National Road Chainsaw Carving Festival in Addison, Fireworks and Food Truck Festival at Seven Springs, Rain Day in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Show in Carmichaels, California Riverfest, Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival in West Newton, Covered Bridge Festival in Greene and Washington Counties, Dunbar Community Fest, Mount Pleasant Glass and Ethnic Festival, FestiFall at Friendship Hill National Historic Site in Springhill Township, Pumpkin Fest in Confluence, Bullskin Township Heritage Days and the Witch Festival in Monongahela.
And that’s not even a complete list!
Festivals have much to offer, including a way for a community to come together.
“Festivals are definitely good for community building,” said Candace Tustin, vice president of the Greene County Historical Society, which offers its own Harvest Festival in October. “It gives folks a chance to come out and promote community togetherness.”
“Building community, identity, networking and socialization,” noted Christine Bucklew, president of the Fayette County Historical Society, which is part of the National Road Festival through its Abel Colley Tavern and Searights Tollhouse.
“We have a sense of community with the businesses and people,” said Vicki Marietta, a member of the Spirits of the River planning committee. “We all want to keep the town special.”
“You bump into people you haven’t seen in years and you make new friends,” said Lynda West, a member of the planning committee for the Sheep and Fiber Fest.
West noted festivals are typically run by volunteers who work together as an organization and cooperate with local businesses.
West said, “Festivals give businesses opportunities to reach out to the community and become more visible. It brings people into the community and gives them opportunities to see the region and employers and activities. Some people will come for the weekend and bring business to area hotels. Some will festival hop. They come to see us and they go to another. They visit two or three festivals at the same time.”
Tustin, who has also been previously involved with other community festivals, noted of businesses and community members who serve as sponsors, “It’s a positive way for them to get the word out and for us who are being sponsored.”
Buckelew said, “We couldn’t exist without interested people. That’s how we sustain ourselves.”
Festivals also provide people with a way to be active, whether it’s moving around the grounds or trying recreation that’s being showcased. They offer a fun way to learn, whether about history, music, nature or sports.
“This gives somebody an opportunity to get a sample of something they never thought they would try,” said Buckelew. “It gives them the courage and the impetus to do it.”
“It definitely benefits us in a way that provides community awareness of our mission,” said Tustin, “and it educates the community on the past and the relevance of the past.”
Marietta said, “It helps people who come here understand what Ohiopyle is all about. This is a town, not just a park.”
Marietta noted the Spirits of the River Festival was started to pay off debt for repairs to the community sewage plant but it has contributed even more.
“This is our fourth year. In the first three years, we gave $57,000 to the borough to help with operations and made small donations to the community center, fire department and churches in town,” said Marietta, who noted that funds were also designated for repair of the community playground and to bring the internet into Ohiopyle.
Festivals can also boost respect for what is being honored whether it’s an appreciation felt all along or something newly developed.
“People who come to Ohiopyle, love Ohiopyle,” said Marietta. “They love the area.”
“Festivals remind people of what there is to love and be proud of in our communities,” said Buckelew. “We want them to be proud of their towns.”
Those interested in joining the Be Local Network can contact Ted Flowers at 724-425-7231 or by email at tflowers@heraldstandard.com. Discount cards are available at the Herald-Standard, 8 E. Church St., Uniontown, and at the Greene County Messenger, 82 W. High St., Waynesburg.