Neighbors canter about Zelie’s Horse Trading Days
ZELIENOPLE — Zelienople sidewalks and streets were packed with family, friends and neighbors during the 58th Horse Trading Days Friday afternoon.
The festival promotes local businesses, features activities and entertainment for the old and young alike, and attracts attendees from all around.
According to Matthew Edwards, director of Horse Trading Days, the event is put on by the Zelienople Area Business Association and began in 1963 when it ran in conjunction with a Pennsylvania Amateur Horsemen’s Association show.
“This is our ‘normal day’ on Friday. With the sidewalk sales, the Kids Corner full of activities,” he said.
On Saturday a dog show, cornhole tournament and hot dog-eating contest will be among the festivities taking place on Main Street.
The 20 volunteers making up the event staff don’t begin to cover the community effort that is Horse Trading Days, he said.
“Countless businesses chip in in various capacities throughout the week,” Edwards said. “The goal is fairly simple: to drive consumers into the businesses. We think we have a cool mix of business variety in Zelienople. The goal is to promote that.”
Shop owners placed wares on street corners for passersby and struck up conversations. Food, drink and snack vendors filled Four Corners Park, and artisans spoke with buyers about their homemade goods.
A tractor-pulled wagon carried children and parents up and down Main Street, while opportunities for face painting, henna tattoos, games and prizes made groups of people stop to try their luck.
Edwards said the music and live entertainment offered during the weekend is his favorite part to coordinate and attend.
“The entertainment this afternoon is No Bad JuJu, they’ve drawn a huge crowd every year,” he said. “We have a lineup of entertainment all throughout the weekend.”
Karen Vidt of Zelienople said she attended the Thursday concerts at Horse Trading Days. She brought her coworkers back for lunch Friday afternoon.
“It’s a nice little local thing,” she said. “This adds exposure for Zelienople and brings the wider community in. It surprises them, and it’s a good experience.”
Shayne Cameron and her family from Mars stopped for lunch at Horse Trading Days and would be returning Saturday to participate in the Hot to Trot 5K and 1-mile run.
“It’s nice. There are new shops on Main Street we haven’t seen before,” she said. “After everyone being cooped up for so long, it’s nice to get out.”
The Zelienople Area Public Library had its annual used book sale as part of the festival activities. Library director Maggie Boylan said it gets a lot of traffic because of the event.
“This library has been doing the sale a long time, over 30 years, with Horse Trading Days,” she said. “What we get goes to help our operational budget. It’s a great event. We’re thankful for our volunteers who work on this program.”
Hollie Meckler, owner of Hollie’s Handmade Soaps and Such, set up her tent alongside other local sellers of signs, candles, jewelry and more. She said this was her seventh year attending Horse Trading Days as a vendor.
“It’s nice to enjoy the local sellers. I love that they have genuine crafters that care about what they’re producing and celebrate that,” she said. “I love the people of Zelienople. They’re always friendly and welcoming.”
Zelienople Horse Trading Days runs until Saturday night. For a full schedule, visit www.horsetradingdays.com.
