Slippery Rock’s VillageFest continues growing in 23rd year
VillageFest, which pulls upward of 15,000 visitors into Slippery Rock for a day of vendors, food and live music, returns Sept. 12, continuing its recent tradition of aligning with Slippery Rock University’s family weekend.
“We try to coordinate some things with what’s going on at the university,” said Craig Caldwell, a board member for Slippery Rock Development, which organizes the festival. “Parents who will be in for the weekend, they can come in and experience downtown Slippery Rock.”
Main Street will be closed for the day, since the rain-or-shine festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., maximizing space for vendors and local businesses to set up. Seller spaces typically sell out within hours of registration opening. This year is no exception.
“We have approximately between 185 and 200 vendors that’ll be there, and we’re going to have to space those out and cut some different areas as we try to come together,” Caldwell said.
Stalls fill Main Street and the surrounding areas, offering food, crafts, clothes, jewelry and more. Vendors come from all over to serve the town and festival attendees.
“It’s just a great day for a number of vendors,” Caldwell said. “Main thing is, hopefully we get great weather to commit.”
Caldwell said they’ve had vendors from as far away as New York, Ohio and West Virginia.
“So we’ve actually started to get an outreach as we try to, you know, offer the things that we do,” said Caldwell.
Children’s activities will be set up off Main Street in a public parking lot near the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company and Rescue Team. Games, rides and competitions will be set up for all ages. From a designated toddler area to inflatable challenging obstacle courses, Caldwell said there’s something for every child.
A stage set up at the Slippery Rock Memorial Park will host multiple bands and musicians for live entertainment throughout the day. Local musical acts and a performance by SRU musicians will highlight the event. Accompanied by food trucks and booths, the area will be fully equipped for guests to relax and enjoy the park and tunes.
“We’ll have a number of food trucks and vendors, you know, try to make it a good vibe for the atmosphere,” Caldwell said.
As the festival is entirely outdoors, rain could attempt to put a damper on the day. Regardless, Caldwell said, volunteers will still do their best to work with the weather and put the event together.
“If it rains, you know, sometimes we have to work with what Mother Nature gives us,” said Caldwell.
