Saxonburg Festival of Arts fun way to wind down summer
SAXONBURG — More than 200 vendors will await early Christmas shoppers, art lovers, fun seekers and empty stomachs this weekend at the 34th annual Saxonburg Festival of the Arts.
Scott Herbst, a borough councilman and coordinator of the popular festival, said it will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday on Main and Rebecca streets.
“It's the small-town appeal of historic Saxonburg,” he said. “The festival gives people the chance to come and walk around the streets and drink it all in.”
Herbst said a diverse group of food vendors will be set up throughout the festival to tempt the palates of those in attendance, and craft booths will offer a wide variety of handmade and hard-to-find items.
The South Butler Community Library, Herbst said, will hold several family activities inside and outside its Main Street building, including oversized Jenga and bowling.
A display of antique tractors, the St. Luke's Quilt Show in Centennial Hall on State Street, Civil War re-enactors across from Roebling Park, and photography and art exhibits in Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church are just a few of the things to see and do at the festival, Herbst said.
A car cruise will be held Saturday on Main Street. If the weather is poor, the cruise will be held Sunday.
A variety of musical acts will perform in the gazebo in Roebling Park during the festival as well, including swing, country rock and polka bands, he said.
Asked to name his favorite vendor at the festival, Herbst doesn't hesitate to mention the homemade apple dumplings sold at Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church.
“I have to have a dumpling with the ice cream,” he said. “I have to.”
He said Main and North Rebecca streets will be closed for the festival, and Civil Air Patrol cadets will direct festivalgoers to available parking.
A shuttle service donated by Bauman Bus Co. will ferry folks from the Saxonburg Carnival grounds to the festival.
Parking for those with disabilities is available on Rebecca Street across from Roebling Park, Herbst said.
“It's very family friendly, and a lot of people can get some early Christmas shopping in and knock a few people off their lists,” Herbst said.
