Jack Barb, 5, of Cranberry Township, grinned with delight as Ronny’s whiskers tickled the palm of his hand when the horse took the alfalfa from him. Jack declared Ronny his favorite feature of the entire event. Jack was held by his father, Mike Barb. Paula Grubbs/Butler Eagle

MIDDLESEX TWP — Evelyn Wild, 10, of Adams Township, summed up the importance of community events like the first Middlesex Township Community Day, held from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, at the township park.

“People get together and meet each other,” said Evelyn.

That exactly what happened at the 20 business, organization and political booths set up in the grass in the center of the township walking loop — the food and drink trucks to the north of the loop; the Kids Zone, which offered games and bounce houses; the petting zoo by Green Roof Acres of Hollidaysburg, Blair County; firetrucks and police cars that attendees could peruse; a pair of cornhole games; and the township fire hall across Browns Hill Road, where a bake sale offered fresh pastries and other tempting goodies.

A pet parade showed off the cutest pets in the area, and the band Center Stage was slated to play from 5 to 8 p.m. Fireworks were to cap off the event at 8:30 p.m., which organizer Mallory Muchnok, who also is the township secretary, hopes will continue annually.

“Middlesex is growing, so we are trying to have a lot more growth in parks and recreation,” Muchnok said.

She said flush bathrooms will be added to the park next year, and a splash pad could be added in 2026, depending on funding.

Muchnok said the event will be consolidated next year, so features are not so spread out, and parking will be improved.

“So far I love the event,” Muchnok said at 2 p.m.

She said, according to feedback she received from families who attended, the Kids Zone, the LifeFlight helicopter and the anticipation of fireworks by Pyrotechnico were the favorites of many.

Popular with young and old alike was Ronny, the 8-year-old Belgian draft horse belonging to J & J Farms Animal Sanctuary in Clinton Township.

Jessica Poutous, co-owner of the sanctuary, held a basket of alfalfa cubes that were enthusiastically scarfed down by the huge, golden horse when offered by an attendee.

Jack Barb, 5, of Cranberry Township, grinned with delight as Ronny’s whiskers tickled the palm of his hand when the horse took the alfalfa from him. Jack declared Ronny his favorite feature of the entire event.

“I like him because he let me feed him,” Jack said.

Carly Aloisio, of Adams Township, said a friend who works for Middlesex Township told her about Community Day, so she decided to bring her children.

“It does promote a sense of community, having events like this,” she said.

Her daughter Harper, 10, who plays soccer for the Lady Raptors traveling team, wore a gold medal around her neck as she sipped coconut water from the Mexican food vendor.

Harper explained she won the medal by kicking a Velcro ball onto the bull's-eye on a huge Velcro dart board set up in the Mars Area Youth Soccer Club booth.

Her brothers, twins Jude and Colin, 4, liked the police vehicles and ambulance, and the soccer game and Gellyball best, respectively.

The preteen set also was represented at Community Day.

Chelsea Verneulen, 12, of Middlesex Township, spun the wheel at the PNC Bank booth and won a small stuffed monkey.

“It’s fun and a good thing to come out and enjoy a nice day like this,” she said of the event.

Her friend, Carissa Miller, 12, said Ronny the horse was her favorite feature of the event. She said community events are important.

“It’s nice to get everyone together to socialize,” she said.

Peyton Rourke, 10, pets a pair of Guinea pigs at the petting zoo at Middlesex Township Community Day, held Saturday, Aug. 17, at the township park. Paula Grubbs/Butler Eagle

A goat shows off his multicolored beard at Middlesex Township Community Day, held Saturday, Aug. 17, at the township park. Paula Grubbs/Butler Eagle

An alpaca at the petting zoo at Middlesex Township Community Day, held Saturday, Aug. 17, at the township park, looks for a snack. Paula Grubbs/Butler Eagle

Evelyn Wild, 10, plays Gellyball at Middlesex Township Community Day, held Saturday, Aug. 17, at the township park. Paula Grubbs/Butler Eagle

Liander Mozer, 4, plays Gellyball at Middlesex Township Community Day, held Saturday, Aug. 17, at the township park. Paula Grubbs/Butler Eagle

Courtland Mozer, 8, pets an Angora goat at the petting zoo at Middlesex Township Community Day, held Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Township park. Paula Grubbs/Butler Eagle

Linden Crawford, 6, of Middlesex Township, holds a bowl of lettuce to feed a goat at the petting zoo at Middlesex Township Community Day, held Saturday, Aug. 17, at the township park. Paula Grubbs/Butler Eagle