Natalie Beilstein and Iverson Beilstein, 7, of Butler, get some fresh lemonade Friday evening at Foodie Friday in downtown Butler. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
Clouds did not deter crowds from this year’s first Foodie Friday on Main Street, bringing people from around Butler County and Pittsburgh to sample local foods, international eats and carnival staples for the lively kickoff of the summer season.
Seasoned visitors and first-timers alike formed queues outside familiar favorites like Rescue Dogs and Haitian food truck Sak Pasé.
Outside the Butler Area Public Library, a “kid zone” was organized, with activities like a bean bag toss and a spinning wheel of creative “would-you-rather” questions for older children to participate in. This is the first year that the library has tied its community outreach to Foodie Fridays, and the focal point is engaging children.
“Each week or each month we’re going to have a gaming area,” said Lori Hinderliter, Butler library executive director.
Emma Davanzati, 17, and Miranda Brandon, 21, work on Main Street. They frequent Foodie Fridays each year, drawn to the atmosphere of people walking together in downtown.
“People have such good community vibes,” Brandon said.
The event is one example of “things to do” that Brandon said she wishes Butler had more of to offer to its younger residents.
“I feel like Main Street is such a homey place, and I think there’s so much more that we could do with it,” Davanzati said.
Ashley and Brendon Thomas, of Butler, have been attending Foodie Fridays for three years, returning each summer for authentic food.
On Friday, they brought their 10-month-old son.
“I like the idea that it brings the community together,” Ashley Thomas said. “People bring their dogs out and hang out.”
One suggestion from the couple: “More food trucks!”
Scott Smith with Burgh’ers ‘N AT hands food to a customer in line on Friday at the start of Foodie Fridays in downtown Butler. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
Evens Louis Charles, with the Haitian food truck Sak Pasé, hands food to people in line on Friday at the start of Foodie Fridays in downtown Butler. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
Aurora Love George, 1, of Butler dances to the music played by Old School on Friday evening at Foodie Friday in downtown Butler. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
Iverson Beilstein, 7, of Butler, eats a hot dog Friday evening at Foodie Friday in downtown Butler. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
The parking lot next to First English Lutheran Church on Main Street was packed Friday evening for the start of Foodie Fridays in downtown Butler. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
Caiden Morrow, 9, of Butler, speeds around on his scooter Friday evening at Foodie Friday in downtown Butler. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
Adam Geibel, along with Stevie, a 3 year-old German shepherd/Husky mix, wait for their food Friday evening at the start of Foodie Fridays in downtown Butler. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
Ian Macefe, 6, of Butler, makes street art on the sidewalks in downtown Butler at Foodie Friday. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
Friday evening brought back Foodie Fridays to downtown Butler, with Old School providing music. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
Hollie Davies with Rescue Dogs takes a customer’s order Friday at the start of Foodie Fridays in downtown. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
From left, Debbie Fields, of Lyndora, and her daughter, Marissa Watson, get ready to eat their food from Rescue Dogs at Foodie Friday in downtown Butler. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
Tina Thorton grabs a beer from Recon Brewing on Friday evening for the start of Foodie Fridays in downtown Butler. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
