Zelienople area welcomes its 58th annual Horse Trading Days
For its 58th year, downtown Zelienople will be bustling for its annual Horse Trading Days festival.
Over a three-day period from Thursday, July 21, to Saturday, July 23, the summer festival, presented by the Zelienople Area Business Association, will endeavor a variety of old-fashion food, music and contests.
Matthew Edwards, executive Director of the Zelienople Area Business Association and Horse Trading Days director of events, said Horse Trading Days is the biggest festival in the community with about 100 to 150 outside vendors, not including local businesses.
“The festival attracts people hundreds miles away, which has grown over the last several years,” Edwards said.
The community usually sees a good turnout, he said, with many coming out to take part in the popular Hot-to-Trot. The event features three different races for different skill levels through the Glade Run Adventures horse pastures, stables, riding arena and a hybrid of roads.
There’s new attractions, too, including this year’s highlight event, a performance by Gaelic Storm, a seven-time world chart topping Celtic band. The band will be performing live on ShuBrew’s main stage Saturday evening after The Low Kings, a Pittsburgh-based Celtic rock band, opens the show.
More information can be found on Horse Trading Days official website, www.horsetradingdays.com.
To get things rolling, Main Street Zelienople opens Horse Trading Days with its Sidewalk Sales at 10 a.m. Thursday morning, which continue until 8 p.m.
In town, Zelienople Area Public Library hosts its used book sale at 11 a.m. before closing at 6 p.m.
Activities and entertainment hit it off at 2 to 8 p.m. with pony rides and a petting zoo at the Kidz Corral with Barrel Train Rides or free wagon rides.
Craft and food vendors open their booths from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday down Main Street and through Four Corners Park.
The S’Wearing Hats will begin the live entertainment at 4 p.m., followed by H-Z Jazz Band coming in at 6 p.m. at ShuBrew Square. Jeff Jimerson & Airborne will finish out the night with an 8 p.m. show.
On Friday, booths and activities are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with live entertainment going on until 10 p.m. Avery Flood kicks off the day, taking the spotlight at 2 p.m. mentalist Adam Hince steps up on stage next at 4 p.m., and Jonathan Fisher & The Slow Blink perform at 6 p.m. No Bad JuJu wraps up Friday with a performance from 8 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, the events get started first thing in the morning at 8 a.m. with Hot-to-Trot 5K/1-Mile/Tot Trot through Glade Run Adventures. The Tot Trot is new to this year and allows for the little ones to participate in an estimated 100 meter race.
The Saddle Bags Cornhole Tournament on 208 S. Clay Street will be held at 10 a.m.
Starting at noon, the ShuBrew Square Entertainment events will take place, starting with the second annual HTD Dog Show. The annual Hot Dog Eating Contest is set for 2 p.m.
Opening for the main event at 5:30 p.m. is The Low Kings, and taking the festival home, from 8 to 10 p.m., is Gaelic Storm.
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