Crowds at Penn’s Colony enjoy step back in time
SAXONBURG — The 39th annual Penn’s Colony Festival went off with a bang Saturday, Sept. 17. The bang was only part of the event’s symphony of muskets, Celtic music and merriment that enraptured the crowds.
The historical demonstrators, musicians, artisans and craftsmen came together for their first weekend of focus on the French and Indian War era in the region. The festival will continue Sept. 24 and 25.
Beth Rush, promotional director, said her husband, Ray, started the festival after the country’s bicentennial, and that they expect to see more than 5,000 people during a single weekend.
“My husband loves this era. In the 18th century, a lot of settlers were moving to this area and it was affecting the whole course of the war,” she said. “There were so many fine tunings in craftsmanship, and that’s why he started the festival.”
Tents blended in with the grounds’ forest, featuring blacksmiths, leathersmiths, potters, gourd sculptors and other artisans.
Horse-drawn carriages clipped down gravel streets, and actors in Colonial garb gallivanted alongside attendees.
Mia Cristaloino, 12, of Saxonburg, sat with her family in a village of food vendors. She said the best food she tried was the funnel cake, and she was learning a lot.
“I liked watching the glassmaker,” she said. “I liked how he blew the glass to blow it up. I didn’t know that’s how you did it.”
Michele Baker, of Penn Township, praised the food and the artisans alike as she strolled about the festival with her family.
“We came to look at the crafts, it’s been nice family time. We did enjoy the bagpipe music, too,” she said.
Entertainers took the stage at various times throughout the day playing traditional 18th century music. At 3 p.m., a French and Indian War skirmish reenactment sent cannon booms through the trees.
“We try to do an encounter that would have likely happened during that time,” Rush said.
Following the battle, folks gathered to hear about the contents of a soldier’s tent at Capt. William Trent’s company.
Rush said she hopes those who attend the festival will be inspired in various ways.
“They’ll come away being touched by what you can make, they’re often inspired by the artisans to make things on their own, so much of what is made here is part of nature,” she said.
