It’s time for annual FestiFall event
Experience life in the time of Albert Gallatin on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. when FestiFall is celebrated once again at Friendship Hill National Historic Site in Springhill Township. Sponsored by the Friendship Hill Association in cooperation with the National Park Service, FestiFall is an enjoyable way to educate the public about this beautiful national park and Gallatin, who is best known for serving as U.S. secretary of the treasury under Presidents Jefferson and Madison.
FestiFall does this by offering the public a taste of the arts, crafts, foods and history of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when Gallatin created and lived at Friendship Hill.
Park rangers offer backporch talks about Gallatin and his home, which is open for tours. And September also proves a great time to enjoy the nearly 10 miles of nature trails at the park.
“It’s a relaxing afternoon, a low-key relaxing time,’ explained Joyce McCune, president of the Friendship Hill Association.
The festival continues to grow in popularity, attracting more than 3,000 people in the past two years. Brian Reedy of the National Park Service reported that people come from Fayette, Greene, Westmoreland and Allegheny counties in Pennsylvania, as well as Garrett County, Md., and Monongalia County, W. Va.
Now in its 21st year, FestiFall has never strayed from its time period or its theme. Rather than become tired of this, the public continues to embrace it.
And don’t forget the food.
When asked about reasons for the popularity of FestiFall, officials continue to point at the food, which also stays true to the time period.
This year’s menu includes ham-and-bean soup, mountain stew (which is a barley vegetable soup), cornbread, roast beef sandwiches, sugar biscuits, ginger cakes, popcorn made in a kettle, apple cider, lemonade and root beer.
While visitors are enjoying their food, they can take in a variety of activities.
This year’s entertainment will feature Signora Bella, the Great Italian Equilibrist, aka Jody Ellis of Fredericksburg, Va.
“She is a balancing and juggling act,’ explained McCune. “She brings to life the traditions of traveling performers in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.’
Signora Bella will perform at 11:30 a.m., 1, 2 and 3:30 p.m.
Entertainment also includes a number of musical acts, which all perform period music: Friendship Hill Young Musicians will perform at 11 a.m. They include the following Albert Gallatin High School students: April Black, Kendal Galand, Matti Johnston, Chelsey Morgan, Mollie O’Rourke and Joseph Andria.
Fred and Joel Adams of Uniontown will play the guitar and bagpipes at noon.
Three dulcimer acts are scheduled: Dulcimer Dames of Fairmont, W.Va., will perform at 2 p.m., In a Pinch, also of Fairmont, will appear at 2:30 p.m. and the Greene Academy Dulcimer Players will play at 3 p.m.
Christina Baran of Morgantown will perform on the banjo at 4 p.m.
Children’s activities include a pie-eating contest at 2:30 p.m. and a water relay at 4 p.m. There will also be candle making all day, sponsored by the Girl Scouts from Friendship Hill Elementary School.
The ranger’s backporch talks are scheduled for noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m. while Robert Eugene Grimm of Smithfield will give a brief history of the post rider at 2 p.m.
Several artisans will set up displays on the grounds. They include Donna Cocalis of Point Marion, braiding rugs; Cordek’s Classics of Davidsville, Pa., boxes and bonnets; Lou Ann Mohrman of Morgantown, cornhusk dolls; Linda Metzer, jewelry; Cheryl Peers and Olivia D’Isidoro of Perryopolis, quilting; Shari Wilson of Morgantown, spinning and weaving; and Pearl Baran of Masontown, tatting. There will also be a table featuring historic toys. And there will be a table of young girls making flower garlands that visitors can enjoy wearing on their heads.
Once again, the Friendship Hill Association will offer a table with membership information. They will also have a number of souvenirs for sale, including T-shirts, ball caps, umbrellas, tote bags and mugs. The association will also raffle off two prints of the house by artist Rose Blout of Uniontown.
The Friendship Hill Association begins work on FestiFall each spring when artisans are lined up. In April, association members also make a trip to Fort Frederick, an 18th century marketplace in Maryland.
“We buy clothing, if we need it, and things for the food stand, like kettles. It’s a wonderful resource place for baskets, textiles, materials,’ said McCune.
She noted that members visit other festivals and keep their eyes open for ideas. For example, McCune and her husband recently visited The Fair at New Boston in western Ohio.
“If you like history, there’s so much out there,’ noted McCune.
In August and September, the association takes care of details, including lining up volunteers and getting flyers and advertisements out.
“You’re just consumed with it in August and September,’ said McCune, noting that volunteers have even reported popping corn in their sleep.
The day of FestiFall, the parking lots are filled to overflowing as people come to take in the flavors, sights and sounds of this successful festival.
Reedy noted visitors continue to be those learning about Gallatin but the majority are people who know and enjoy Friendship Hill.
“Most of the folks have been here before and it’s an opportunity for them to meet with other folks,’ said Reedy.
“People seem to come and stay,’ agreed McCune.
“They see people they don’t see the rest of the year. It’s kind of our homecoming for the area.’
Friendship Hill National Historic Site is located along Route 166 between Point Marion and New Geneva. For more information, phone 724-725-9190.