Hopwood opens gateways, welcomes festival celebrants
Cars, trucks and SUVs took a back seat to horse-drawn covered wagons Saturday as Hopwood residents marked the significance of the National Road by welcoming the wagon train and remembering the community’s own history. As part of the 29th annual National Road Festival, residents spent time with the wagon train in the afternoon as riders and horses alike enjoyed a well-deserved lunch break before continuing their journey to Uniontown.
The Hopwood Village Project used the festival as the perfect occasion to dedicate two stone gateways to the community during a morning ceremony. The gateways, located along Route 40 at both ends of the community, were made with the help of masonry students from the Fayette County Area Vocational-Technical School, according to project Chairman Al Botti.
Botti said the students, along with instructor Terry Motchar, were “outstanding citizens” by helping with the community project.
The gateways welcome visitors to historic Hopwood, established in 1791, and are located near the parking lot of the Hopwood Fitness Center and across from the Sun Porch restaurant.
Harry McElroy, streetscape chairman, said Saturday’s dedication was the culmination of a lot of work by many people. He said the concerted effort of many volunteers, the work by the vo-tech students and the cooperation of the North Union Township and South Union Township supervisors all made these first steps possible.
“We owe a lot to everyone who worked together on this common goal: to restore this village to a lively place people will enjoy,” he said. “We hope people will walk up and down our sidewalks and do some shopping along this corridor.”
South Union Township Supervisor Tom Frankhouser read a proclamation dedicating the monuments in memory of the forefathers who first formed the National Pike. He said the monument represents a legacy that reaches to the past and extends to the future.
“We honor our past with the dedication of the eastgate and westgate portals to the village of Hopwood,” Frankhouser read. “May they serve as reminders of our heritage throughout the coming years.”
Next to the markers are vintage streetlights, which McElroy said the committee hopes to install all along the National Pike in Hopwood. The group also hopes that, in addition to the lights, new planters, trees and brick sidewalks will line the streets. McElroy said the trees should be planted next spring, while the Hopwood Village Project is still awaiting the funds to purchase all 38 lights and looking ahead to the new sidewalks.
After the wagon train pulled in, the people gathered for a parade to commemorate the day. All along the parade route, local businesses were open to shoppers, and some even brought their wares outdoors to give more people a chance to see what was offered.
Several yard sales and food booths also were set up, with the most popular items being anything warm, as Saturday’s gray skies and cool temperatures made the day feel more like March than May.
Events were planned in Hopwood throughout the day, and more is planned for tomorrow. At 1 p.m., Abner Doubleday Doubleheader Day will be held at the Hutchinson Recreational Park, where two vintage 1860s baseball games will be played. The first game begins at 1:30 p.m., followed by the second around 3 p.m.