Simon Rock, 5, of Summit Township, follows Addalyn Cyphert, 4, of Oakland Township as the two blow bubbles during the 52nd annual Horse Trading Days in Zelienople. The festival continues through Saturday

ZELIENOPLE — Thursday evening, the spirit of local business and the smell of Amish doughnuts filled the air for the 52nd annual Horse Trading Days.

“It's great to see old faces,” said Mathew Jewelers owner Shelly Mathew. “It's bringing our own back who have moved from the area.”

Among the sites and events to see Thursday evening as people checked out of work for the day included games, food stands and a petting zoo.

More than 20 animals were brought for the petting zoo by Gibsonia-based farm Gaus-Reno Entertainment, including miniature horses, a donkey, black sheep and baby goats.

GRE owner Debbie Gaus said she has been coming to Horse Trading Days for more than 10 years.

“It's a great event,” she said. “They have lots of food here.”

GRE also gave horse rides for children with three different-sized horses. Gaus said one miniature horse will be featured in today's roundup horse parade.

“It's my absolute favorite,” she said of the parade.

Festival vendors said Horse Trading Days has been growing since its first celebration in 1963.

“The variety of businesses has grown,” Mathew said.

The festival started when merchants came together to celebrate local businesses. Coincidentally, a horse show was taking place at the same time. Organizers from both sides came together and decided to merge into one annual festival.

Some have cited the area's hospitality as a beneficial part of the festival.

“Everyone's really nice here,” vendor and Morgantown resident Dina Colada said.

Colada is running the “Frappucino” stand on Main Street, selling coffee-based drinks.She said this is her first year at Horse Trading Days as a vendor. In the past, she participated in the festivities.Although a majority of activities are set up near Four Corners Park on the north side of Main Street, efforts have been taken to spread the festival across town.Several stands and booths are set up along Main Street for people to explore.Festival organizer Matt Edwards said having the festival focused on one side of town was an issue in the past.Edwards said one advantage the festival has is the lack of chain stores and businesses, a motivation for local entrepreneurs.Local charitable organizations are also getting involved with Horse Trading Days.The Artisan Marketplace, run by the Presbyterian Women of Beaver Butler Presbytery, is selling homemade crafts from around the world. Pottery, musical instruments, jewelry, spices and other exotic art are being displayed and sold.Proceeds will be given back to respective artisans from various countries, including Haiti, India and Peru.“The people are wonderful. They're very receptive and friendly,” coordinator Agnes Peebles said. “It's a great atmosphere.”The first night ended with a performance by Pittsburgh-based country band North of Mason-Dixon.Today's lineup includes the annual roundup horse parade at 7 p.m. and a performance by Pittsburgh variety band No Bad Juju at the Strand Theater at 7:30 p.m.Saturday will feature the Hot-To-Trot 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. in the community park, the first corn hole tournament at Passavant Lawn at noon and a performance by local band The Softwinds at 7:30 p.m.A farmers market will also be in town all weekend long.A complete schedule can be found on the Horse Trading Days website.

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Duke West of Wood Fired Flatbreads loads a pizza into their mobile oven at the 52nd Annual Horse Trading Days in Zelienople which continues through Saturday.

Nolan Dick, 4, of Slippery Rock feeds the petting zoo goats.