VillageFest returns to Main Street
SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock's VillageFest event is back on Main Street for the second year in a row, and organizers are expecting the annual gathering of craft and food vendors, civic organizations and performers to draw thousands of people into the borough Saturday.
For visitors, it's important to note that Morrow Way on the Slippery Rock University campus will be closed to through traffic and parking, and will instead provide space for more than 100 booths of crafts, business displays, organizational fundraisers and lots of unique food vendors.
The event, which attracts between 5,000 and 7,000 visitors to the borough each year, was moved onto the campus of Slippery Rock University two years ago because of a bridge replacement project along Route 8.
While the move took VillageFest out of its original home on Main Street, it also gave organizers more room to play with, and drew about 150 craft and food vendors to the event.
This year VillageFest is expected to feature more than 100 craft and food vendors, as well as an eclectic collection of entertainers, performances and activities for people of all ages.
The event also falls on the university's Friends and Family Weekend — something organizer Tom McPherson said isn't just coincidence.
“The purpose of VillageFest was to bring people to the downtown area of Slippery Rock after we renovated it 15 years ago,” said McPherson, who is also a retired SRU employee. “Then we joined with the university ... (and) it's just a great time. It's people meeting people. It's like a big reunion for the community.”
The event will once again begin with a 5K run and 2-mile walk hosted by Slippery Rock Area Parks and Recreation. The run will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the corner of Elm Street and West Cooper Street, and will proceed down West Cooper Street.
The 2-mile walk will begin at the green benches in front of Memorial Park on Main Street and traverse through the scenic SRU campus.
People can register for either event starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, and can call 724-794-8180 for more information.
The official opening ceremony for VillageFest will be at 10 a.m. on Main Street, featuring Cmdr. Damian Hambley and his wife, Mary, as well as American Legion Post 393 and VFW Post 6231.
After that Main Street transforms into a carnival atmosphere of food, crafts, street performances by dancers, musicians and other entertainers, as well as family friendly activities for people of all ages.The Slippery Rock Giant Eagle is again sponsoring its Kids Zone in Gateway Park, which offers rides and games for children.The event also features a lineup of competitions and tournaments that give people an opportunity to win cash prizes.Those include a Hula Hoop contest that starts at 11 a.m. in the Kids Zone, musical chairs games that begin at 3:30 p.m., and a corn hole tournament that will take place from noon to 3 p.m.The VillageFest also offers a lineup of musical acts and other entertainment to spark peoples' interest.Magician David Lawrence will perform his mesmerizing and energizing act, which relies on audience participation, from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.Musician Isaac Cole and his friend, Meghan Woods, will also be performing on Main Street from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by comedian Auggie Cook, who will delight visitors with his family friendly humor as they stroll through the vendors lining Main Street.The event's final musical performance comes from 3 to 5 p.m., with country music singer-songwriter Michael Christopher performing on the event's Main Street stage.The event's main sponsors this year are North Country Brewing and Slippery Rock Giant Eagle.
