May 21, 2007 By Patty Yauger 4 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Musical entertainment, crafts, food, and of course, geraniums, will be featured at the city’s annual Geranium Festival slated for Saturday. “There will be beautiful geraniums and many other plants available for purchase,” said Beverly Oppermann, chairwoman of the event and member of the host organization, the Connellsville Garden Club.

A portion of West Crawford Avenue, from Arch Street to Pittsburgh Street, will be closed off to vehicular traffic, which will allow for a variety of crafters and food vendors to set up in the one-block area, said Oppermann.

“We’ve had a wonderful response this year,” she said.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m., local disc jockey Mark Holden will play music for those who arrive early.

“Mark has very generously agreed to donate his time and talent and we very much appreciate his contribution to the festival,” said Oppermann.

The official opening of the festival takes place at 10 a.m. with Connellsville native Todd Reagan singing the national anthem.

At 10:30 a.m., a princess contest will be held for 4- to 6-year-olds. Oppermann said that contestants will be judged on appearance and their ability to respond to a few simple questions.

Other children’s activities that will take place throughout the day will include face painting, flower planting and sand art.

At 10 a.m., a local veterinarian will dispense rabies shots to pets for a $10 fee. The veterinarian will be located near the Medicine Shoppe until 1 p.m.

The Junior High West Jazz Band, under the direction of Don Witt, will perform from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Lions Square, followed by The Brass Knuckles, a 10-member rock/variety orchestra that will perform classic hit music from the ’40s to the present.

Garden club member Nancy Haggerty will demonstrate how to design a fresh floral globe at 2:20 p.m. that will later be raffled off to a lucky winner, said Oppermann.

At 3 p.m., the all-girl country band Girlz in Black Hats will perform.

“They’re young, energetic and very talented,” said Oppermann. “It will be a fun concert.”

Throughout the day a variety of crafters will offer jewelry, florals and other items for sale.

Those taking part include Michelle Kinzel, selling “Cokie Lee Jewelry;” Diane Gambassi, stained glass; Mary Sulitz, Pittsburgh Steelers sweatshirts and other items; Creative Necessities, pottery and more; Sue Nestico, country dolls, painted wood and glass items; Mert Lyons, florals and frames; Rebecca Schnitzler, woodcrafts; and Susan Mawhinney, handcrafted gemstone jewelry.

Also taking part are: Patterson Images, nature and wildlife photography; Ruth Maroki, African art and jewelry; Kathy’s Naturals, soaps, lotions and candles; Debbie Whiting, Avon products; Kraft Kreations, sequined shirts and sweatshirts and other items; and Kathleen Dudragne, pressed flower accessories.

The Lions Club will be selling brooms along with offering food items at its concession stand.

Other food vendors include the Immaculate Conception Church, hot sausage and fried dough; Connellsville Church of God, baked goods; Connellsville United Presbyterian Church, cabbage and noodles; Otterbein United Methodist Church, root beer floats and nachos; CAHS Falcon Band Boosters, ham barbeques; Connellsville Junior High West wrestling parents, strawberry shortcake; Connellsville Exchange Club, ham barbeques; New Life Fellowship Church, cabbage and noodles and baked goods and Connellsville Junior High East wrestling parents, candied and caramel apples.

Oppermann said that a variety of geraniums, perennials, hanging baskets and nursery plants will also be available for purchase.

“The Garden Club invites everyone in the community and surrounding area to come out for a day of fun, entertainment and good food,” she said.

“And also to purchase some exceptionally nice crafts as well as beautiful flowers.”

The festival will end at 5 p.m.