SAXONBURG — Revelers enjoyed a “twofer“ this weekend, as the Sprankle’s Octoberfest and Saxonburg Festival of the Arts saw thousands visit the historic borough.

Non-profit tents, bounce houses, cornhole boxes, craft booths, food and brewery trucks, an oversized chess board, a huge tent with a dance floor and bands, Kinderland kids area, a Christian biker group complete with gleaming Harley-Davidson motorcycles and more dotted the Saxonburg Carnival grounds at the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company, where Sprankle’s Octoberfest was held.

Doug Sprankle added new features this year so Octoberfest would offer something to interest everyone.

“It’s going fantastic,” Sprankle said on Saturday of his fourth annual Octoberfest. “We have the support of the community and its nonprofits, and I think it’s a really strong community event that everyone wants to support.”

He said digital counters tallied 2,800 people who came through the gates on Friday night alone.

Admission was free for Octoberfest.

Sprankle said the most popular events as of Saturday were the Nerf gun range and the main tent, where a dance floor was added.

Asked why he goes to the trouble of planning events in the Saxonburg community when he could just sell groceries at his store on West Water Street, Sprankle’s answer is immediate.

“I truly feel a call to help the community grow and it’s been a lot of fun,” he said. “Seeing the community sharing in my passion for small business is really nice.”

German dancers, two bands, a stein-holding contest that was won by Doug’s brother, Randy Sprankle, and other entertainment rounded out the event.

Paul Donaldson, ambulance supervisor at Saxonburg VFC, allowed children and adults to ride in the bucket of the fire company’s ladder truck to get a birds-eye view of Saxonburg.

“I think the Octoberfest is great for the community and for all the vendors,” he said.

Donaldson called Sprankle an “asset to the community,” and not just because he brought a much-needed grocery store to Saxonburg after Friedman’s Freshmarket closed.

“He has really embraced the community,” he said. “He was a sponsor for the (Saxonburg Firemens) Carnival and he joined the fire company.”

Judy and Rich Fedosick, of Connoquenessing Township, moved to Butler County from Pittsburgh six years ago.

“It’s a nice event,” Rich said. “It showcases Saxonburg and it’s very well organized.”

Rich said Octoberfest also fosters community spirit and shows visitors how nice Saxonburg is.

“People come from Pittsburgh and say ‘Hey, it’s nice here,’” he said.

Tammi Lohrman, of Clinton Township, comes to the arts festival each year, and thinks Octoberfest was a nice addition.

“There’s a big variety of vendors and it’s family friendly,” she said. “We had kielbasas and they were really good.”

She said having the dual festivals is a great idea.

“It puts Saxonburg on the map and brings in money to the economy,” Lohrman said.

Bob Pakozdi, of Connoquenessing Township, said there was more to enjoy at this year’s Octoberfest.

“I’m a big hometown supporter,” Pakozdi said. “I like to spend my money locally.”

His date, Ellen Jack, of Monroeville, said she also enjoyed Octoberfest and feels it showcases the historic and quaint borough.

A pathway on the north side of Octoberfest, where many antique and steam engines were on display, lead to Main Street and the annual Saxonburg Festival of the Arts.

Mayor William Gillespie used a golf cart to get around the festival, which stretched from Pittsburgh Street to the east end of Main Street and down Rebecca Street.

“Things are going very well,” Gillespie said. “People seem to be having a lot of fun.”

He said having the two festivals at the same time is perfect for some couples, as one partner can drink beer at Octoberfest while the other can shop.

“I think it gives all of the folks a chance to enjoy different types of entertainment,” Gillespie said.

He has been busy lately as mayor, and he’s happy about that fact.

“What a tremendous month in Saxonburg,” Gillespie said. “We’ve had two Mingle on Mains, a visit by German Consul General David Gill, Sprankle’s Octoberfest, the Festival of the Arts and next week is the fire company’s Sportsman’s Fest.”

Gillespie touted the vibrancy of the town’s businesses and mentioned the new ice cream shop on Rebecca Street near the laundromat.

“There’s something here to do all the time,” he said.

Rachel Suchevic, of Buffalo Township, and Jamie King, of Middlesex Township, come to Saxonburg once a week to enjoy each other’s company over a coffee at Saxonburg Coffee & Tea.

“We love it,” Suchevich said of the festivals. “Saxonburg always has the best events.”

Suchevich brought her Jack Russell terrier-corgi mix, Arnie, to the arts festival.

King brought her golden retriever, Marley.

“I like to get outside in nice weather,” she said. “And I bought coffee and jerky.”

Lindsey Greb, a junior at Knoch High School, sold various items and raffle tickets from the varsity tennis team’s fundraising booth.

She agrees that the festivals are good for Saxonburg.

“It’s a chance for small business to be made public so people are aware of them and it gives them a chance to build their businesses up,” Lindsey said.

The festivals continued through Sunday.