ZELIENOPLE — The 53rd annual Horse Trading Days festival kicked off Thursday, but not without a few challenges from Mother Nature.

The atmosphere may have been a little hot and a little muggy, but those conditions did nothing to stop people who came from far and wide for craft and food vendors, contests and entertainment.

“This is a lot different than the city,” said Dan Ganster, who is from Phoenix, Ariz.

Ganster grew up in Sharpsburg. This is his and his family's first Horse Trading Days festival.

“We may have to make it two days,” he said about attending the festival.

It is expected to bring in about 40,000 people.

“There's so many people. You get to talk to people from all over,” Dolores Bressler said. “There is a lot of good food too.”

Bressler and her family from North Huntingdon have been coming to Horse Trading Days for six years for Bressler's Crafts Plus.

Children also were attracted to two alpacas brought by Renfrew-based Asgard Acres Alpaca Farm, which operated alongside Long Lasting Alpaca Acres.

“We have a wonderful clientele of people who come,” said Asgard co-owner Carole Rost. “Their (alpacas) look is non-threatening. They look like stuffed animals.”

The Ms. and Mr. Horse Trader pageant was on the main stage Thursday evening with nine contestants from ages 4 to 12 showcasing their talents.

The winners from the pageant are Junior Miss Alexa Knapp, 1st runner up Elisabeth Dorwarth; Little Miss Kendall Waller, 1st runner up Ava Knapp, 2nd runner up Cori Thomand Little Mr. Ian Wahl.

“I feel good. I had fun,” said Kendall, 5, of Ellwood City.

She also was in last year's pageant, placing first runner up. This year, her family and friends supported her.

Her mother Ashley said she became interested in the annual pageant because her cousin won eight years ago.

“We look forward to it every year,” Ashley Waller said.

Ian, 7, of Harmony only knew the day of the pageant he would perform. It was his first time.

“I'm just proud, because he was really nervous when he tried,” his mother, Julie Wahl, said.

Later in the evening, Nashville artist and former “American Idol” contestant Sydney Hutchko and her band performed on the main stage in the rain.

Hutchko is originally from Franklin Park and has opened for other country acts such as Miranda Lambert and Brett Eldredge.

Today the festival will feature horse-drawn wagon rides throughout the day, the annual Roundup Horse Parade at 7 p.m. and a free concert by the Pittsburgh band No Bad Juju.

Saturday will have the Hot-to-Trot 5K run/walk at the Zelienople Community Park, horse-drawn wagon rides, the second annual Horse Trading Days cornhole tournament on Beaver Street and a free concert by The Softwinds.

For information, visit www.horsetradingdays.com.