May 13, 2014 By Toni Cekada for The 2 min read

When the Waleski Horse Farm in Richeyville first moved to the National Road more than two decades ago, owner Bunny Waleski didn’t realize that it would cause her to start an annual and charitable community event for years to come.

“The first time I saw the wagon train coming through, I tried to get them to stop, but they wouldn’t,” Waleski said. “I told my husband, ‘Next year, I’m going to get them to

stop.'”

The following year, Waleski held her first charitable event at the farm featuring food and vendors, and the wagon train has stopped for brunch each year since.

Now entering her 22nd year hosting the traditional bluegrass festival, famous food and flea market vendors, Waleski said she doesn’t get nervous anymore, and enjoys offering this entertainment to the community free of charge.

“It gets hard not charging admission, but it’s our contribution to the community. Besides, I’m sure if we stopped having it, people would still stop,” she said with a laugh. The event will kick off Friday with flea market vendors and food. The bluegrass festival will start at 7 that evening, and will pick back up at 2 p.m. Saturday. The wagon train will make its way through the area between 11 a.m. and noon Sunday for its 27th year.

“We cannot assume that this wagon train will always continue to come through,” Waleski said. “So if you haven’t had the chance to see it yet, I encourage you to come on out.”

During the course of the three-day weekend, there also will be vendors set up for various charitable fundraisers, and food including ribs, chicken, pierogies and halushki. Bounce houses and an inflatable tug-of-war will be set up for children, among other activities. For more information about the festival, call Waleski at 724-632-6812.