Horse Trading Days 60th annual celebration returns to Zelienople
With a variety of family activities to choose from, Zelienople’s 60th annual Horse Trading Days festival offers a fun atmosphere for all ages.
People in attendance will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of vendors, small businesses and food selections as they stroll Main Street in the quaint town of Zelienople. The festivities will take place from Thursday through Saturday, July 18 to 20.
The festival is bringing back beloved events such as the ShuBrew hot dog eating contest and the dog show, which both started in 2021.
“The star of the show has been the hot dog contest; it’s cool to see and unique,” said director Matthew Edwards. There are cash prizes for this contest.
Other returning events that guests can expect to relish again are the cornhole tournament that started in 2015 when Edwards became involved as the director and the Hot-to-Trot 5K and 1-mile family fun run tot-trot event.
Spectators will be able to hear a concert performed by the Verve Pipe band, an alternative rock band, in an age 18 and older concert environment. They will be joined by This-That & The Other Thing band. Tickets for the concerts and those interested in registering for participation in these events can go onto the website www.horsetradingdays.com for more information.
“Our community and our team are really dedicated to finding a good balance between keeping the nostalgic feeling alive with things like the petting zoo, while also introducing such things as the concerts. I love getting to talk to a lot of people and see the people of Zelienople being brought together,” Edwards said.
The number of people attending the event has grown over the years, according to Edwards. The entire event is put on by the Zelienople Area Business Association, and many sponsors contribute to this community experience. These sponsors include the borough of Zelienople, ShuBrew, the YMCA, Vocelli Pizza, Lutheran SeniorLife, Daniel’s Total Lawncare and others.
A crowd-pleaser returning this year is the horse parade, Edwards said.
The lineup of activities and events are as follows:
Thursday
Shoppers will have a chance to browse and buy at the sidewalk sales, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday on Main Street.
Live entertainment will take place on the ShuBrew main stage from 4 to 10 p.m. with S’Wearing Hats at 4 p.m., Low Kings at 6 p.m., and Jeff Jimerson and Airborne at 8 p.m.
Children can enjoy the Kids Corral activity area from 2 to 8 p.m. at Four Corners Park. Crafts and food also will be available from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Vendor Market.
Free wagon rides are offered from 2 to 8 p.m. at the ShuBrew main stage. The Saddlebags cornhole tournament will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Friday
On Friday, the schedule includes additional sidewalk sales from 10 a.m. 8 p.m. on Main Street. Free wagon rides from noon to 8 p.m. from the ShuBrew main stage for a second day. The Kids Corral will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Also on Friday there will be live entertainment in the evening with Aaron Haben at 4 p.m., Uptown Rhythm & Brass at 6 p.m., and No Bad JuJu at 8 p.m. Reserved seating is available at www.horsetradingdays.com website.
Saturday
Saturday will close out the event with the regular shopping and Kids Corral, in addition to the favorite ShuBrew hot dog eating contest at 2 p.m.
The Hot-to-Trot 5K and 1 mile tot-trot will take place at 8 a.m.
People interested in viewing the fourth annual Horse Trading Days dog show can head to the ShuBrew main stage at 10 a.m.
The Verve Pipe band along with guest performers will play from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
