May 19, 2002 By Steve Ostrosky 3 min read

Uniontown’s historical significance as an important stop on the National Road was recognized Saturday as the wagon train that symbolizes the National Road Festival stopped at the George C. Marshall Memorial Plaza. As the wagon train pulled up on Main Street to mark the day, city, county and state officials gathered and read several proclamations to commemorate the weekend.

State Rep. Larry Roberts read two citations, one from the House of Representatives and one from the state Senate, and called the National Road an important reminder of this area’s tradition and heritage. He said the National Road was the first federally supported road in the history of the United States, and Uniontown was an important piece of that route.

This weekend’s festival, he said, continues to get bigger and better each year. “You folks look beautiful,” he said, referring to the wagon train. “It’s been a long trek, but having you come through here is really, really special.”

Uniontown Mayor Jim Sileo welcomed the wagon train and said the National Road “embodies the pride in the accomplishments” of Fayette County’s forefathers.

He said the road was not built with trucks and high-priced equipment, but it still exists today between Wheeling, W.Va., and Cumberland, Md., and is testimony to the strength of the road and the people.

“The travelers who were on this road were building a nation, and we have a renewed sense of appreciation of the past and fresh hope for the future,” he said. “The city of Uniontown has become a milestone in the history of this great nation.”

Fayette County Commissioner Sean Cavanagh also read a proclamation to mark the weekend, the 29th anniversary of the National Road Festival.

He said the road was and still is a gateway to the West, and the county is proud to be a host to many of the weekend’s activities.

Despite the cold, a small crowd of people lined Main Street to watch the ceremony and to follow the wagon train’s procession into the city. Among them were Patty Speshock of Fairchance and her husband, Bill, who came to see a family member riding in the wagon train.

She said she and her husband attend as often as they can, adding that the event is an opportunity to see how people used to live.

“It’s definitely a different way of riding into Uniontown than speeding through it,” she said.

The Downtown Business District Authority sponsored a car show along Beeson Avenue to tie in with the festival events, and the Fayette Chamber of Commerce hosted a book signing at their Main Street offices.

Before the day was through, the wagon train headed to Mount St. Macrina for the evening, where dinner and entertainment was on tap.

Today, a worship service will be held at 8:30 a.m. at Mount St. Macrina, and brunch will served at 11:30 a.m. before the wagon train disbands until next year. Festival events will be held Sunday at Searights Tollhouse, in Brownsville and in Scenery Hill.