VillageFest brings large crowd to SR
SLIPPERY ROCK — Main Street was packed with people strolling among the food and gift vendors. The Kids Zone at Gateway Park was bustling with children playing games and riding ponies.
A huge crowd turned out under sunny skies for VillageFest, an annual event organized by Slippery Rock Development and sponsored by local businesses. The event was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Everybody's in a great mood and the weather is certainly helping out,” said Shawn Pugh, borough manager. “Great spirit today.”Turnout for the festival was among the best the event has ever drawn, said Bill Sonntag, vice president of Slippery Rock Development.“This is one of the best, and I think people are so happy they can go outside and mingle,” he said.
Sonntag said he noticed many Slippery Rock University students and parents at the festival. The event is held to coincide with the Friends and Family Weekend at the university, he said.Sonntag said that all the activities available for children was a big reason for the large crowd.
Heather Kartik, an event volunteer, said there were many things to do in the Kids Zone, including carnival rides, pony rides, a magic show, face painting, musical chairs, Hula-Hoop contests and other games with prizes.In addition, the SRU Dance Company and Columbian Dance Ensemble performed at various locations throughout the day.
Vendor spaces were claimed quickly with many of the vendors veterans of the event, Kartik said.She said many university students volunteered to help out at the festival.Organizers encourage people to bring their dogs, she added.
