Liam Hotkowski, 2, points out some holiday-themed decorations that caught his eye Saturday at the Saxonburg Festival of the Arts. His father, Leo Hotkowski, left, said he has fond memories of coming to the festival with his grandmother as a child and wanted to pass the tradition on to his son.

SAXONBURG — Hometown pride was out in force over the weekend as visitors enjoyed the tastes, smells and sounds of the two-day Saxonburg Festival of the Arts.

In Roebling Park under the bridge, sweet sausage, meatballs and hot dogs were being sold Sunday to benefit the Saxonburg Borough Muhlhausen Sister City Society.

“We raise money to bring our sister city visitors over to Saxonburg,” said Linda Kovacik, the society's secretary/treasurer and former borough secretary and treasurer. “It promotes community and friendship.”

So does the festival.

“It's one of my favorite things to do,” said Ed Birkholz of Cranberry Township. He and wife, Teri, brought their two grandchildren, Ben, 4, and Abbie, 6, to share the fun.

Teri Birkholz praised the wide-open streets lined with booths.

“And of course the weather, it's perfect festival weather,” she said.

Olivia Register and her mother, Marcy Turner, both of Butler, are “festival buddies” who were having their caricatures drawn by Adam Walmsley of Cabot.

“I've always wanted to have one done,” said Turner, who says the duo visit the Saxonburg event every year.

The Kamer family are Saxonburg residents and enjoyed backyard access to the festival's treats. Kris Kamer said she comes for the vendors while her husband, John, is a fan of the music, noting a fine performance by Miss Freddye's Blues Band. Their daughter, Emma, 9, sported a colorful “tattoo” on her face.

“I was just hungry for french fries and lemonade,” the third-grader said.Outside the Saxonburg Museum, visitors had their choice of everything from cotton candy to chicken on a stick. Praises for the Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church's apple dumplings were heard among the crowd.Visitors could take a horse and buggy ride, see a steam-powered engine and tractors, take a photo with Batman or talk to a Civil War re-enactor.“The unit we represent, the original company, was raised in Freeport,” said Matt Hooks, a member of the 78th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Company F, Freeport.Like other groups, the Company F was raising money. They partner with the American Battlefield Trust and hope to raise funds for the restoration of Stones River National Battlefield in Tennessee.Hooks said that the re-enactors hoped to raise awareness of the region's contribution to the Civil War.While a jazz group played outside the Saxonburg Hotel, the Knoch High School girls tennis team and majorettes staffed booths on Main Street.Mike Lazaroff of Saxonburg, a Civil Air Patrol member, said the festival “reflects the friendliness and outgoingness of Saxonburg and it gives us a chance to show off the town. It gives people a chance to come together for a weekend of relaxation and enjoyment.”

Cabot native Hannah Limbaugh knits a scarf at her stand Saturday during the Saxonburg Festival of the Arts. Limbaugh’s works featured quirky pop culture designs including a blanket that looked like a 1980s-era Nintendo controller along with a host of knit caps with animals and other themes.