Brennan Valentino rides a horse guided by Royale Reno-Gaus during the Horse-Trading Days festival in Zelienople on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Horse Trading Days is returning for its 62nd year in Zelienople, with a fun three-day event full of vendors, children’s events, and fun for the whole family.
According to the events Facebook page, it has a storied history going all the way back to 1963, when Wyndle Watson, the president of the Pennsylvania Amateur Horseman’s Association, threw the first festival to promote Zelienople and its horse show.
The initial goal of the event was to bring the community together, showcase the town’s charm and highlight the horses. Sixty-two years later, the event has turned into a three-day event full of family fun running from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 16, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, July 17, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 18.
“If you’re on the fence about going, hop off the fence and stop by the beautiful downtown Zelienople,” Horse Trading Days events director Kadin Riddle said. “We really do offer a wide variety of activities and forms of entertainment for everyone.”
The event will feature sidewalk sales from Zelienople businesses, live entertainment in the evenings each night of the festival, the Round Up Horse Parade on Thursday evening, the Hot-to-Trot on Saturday at 8 a.m., and the Horse Trading Days Dog Show and Hot Dog Eating Contest later on Saturday.
“Horse Trading Days isn’t about what you hear; it’s about what you see and feel,” Riddle said. “The spirit of Zelienople can truly only be felt in person, and it invites you into a lively, outgoing atmosphere that we are so grateful to have.”
The event will also offer free wagon rides around town and a petting zoo.
“On top of this, we also have craft vendors, local artisans and a variety of food trailers to satisfy any craving,” Riddle said. “For our younger crowd, we have a Kidz Corral dedicated to them with a bounce house, inflatable games, and other activities to choose from.”
Wyatt Bowman plays the Ladder Toss game at the Kidz Corral area beside the Zelienople Area Public Library during Zelienople's Horse Trading Days on Friday, July 18, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Julius Root, 4, and Jess Root play Connect 4 at the Kidz Corral area beside the Zelienople Area Public Library during Zelienople's Horse Trading Days on Friday, July 18, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Morgan Phillips
Jack Laughnerfollows his Lego car down the ramp during the race during the Horse-Trading Days festival in Zelienople on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Marvin Mustard jumps into the air in excitement during the Horse-Trading Days festival in Zelienople on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Ricky Relish high fives the audience during the Horse-Trading Days festival in Zelienople on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Emery Bare feeds one of the animals at the petting zoo during the Horse-Trading Days festival in Zelienople on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
A hay ride weaves through the streets of Zelienople during the Horse-Trading Days festival in Zelienople on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Jack Laughner builds a Lego car to race during the Horse-Trading Days festival in Zelienople on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Brooke Molde gives her dog Ruby, a Boston terrier, water during the Horse-Trading Days festival in Zelienople on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Left, April Householder watches as Judy Jones gets a temporary tattoo from Mandy Fox during the Horse-Trading Days festival in Zelienople on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
A boy in the audience catches a hot dog launched into the crowd before the hot dog eating contest at the Shubrew Main Stage during the Horse-Trading Days festival in Zelienople on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Harper Urosek is held by her mom Ashley as she gets her hair decorated with hair tinsel by by Myra Kantz, left, and Ryland Stuart for Andrew Effect during the Horse-Trading Days festival in Zelienople on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Olivia White hugs Princess Tiana and Cinderella during the Horse-Trading Days festival in Zelienople on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Marvin Mustard throws hot dogs in the audience during the Horse-Trading Days festival in Zelienople on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
