VillageFest returns this weekend
Slippery Rock’s VillageFest draws crowds of thousands to the borough’s Main Street each year, and this year’s attractions could entice even more.
The festival celebrates local businesses and nonprofits, and it will offer activities and entertainment for people of all ages Friday, Sept. 23, through Sunday, Feb. 25.
According to Tom McPherson, of Slippery Rock Development, VillageFest will have more than 100 food and craft vendors and organizations lining Main Street over the course of the weekend.
A variety of musical entertainment will also keep people engaged as they peruse local businesses.
“Friday, we have our opening concert at Slippery Rock University, The Clarks and The Stickers at 7 p.m.,” McPherson said. “At 4 p.m., we’ll have food trucks lining Morrow Way on campus for people to eat from.”
The addition of the concert kick-off contributes to VillageFest’s goal: to bring people into Slippery Rock.
“It’s a big turnout. There could be four, five, six thousand people on Main Street throughout a whole day. It’s pretty packed,” he said.
Other musical guests like Slam Band and Sam, SRU’s Jazz Combo, Percussion Club and choir members will perform during Saturday’s run at the corner lot on Main and New Castle streets.
The VillageFest Kid Zone will offer fun for the whole family with inflatables and games. A cornhole tournament will take registered participants starting at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Rounding out the festival is a farmer’s market Sunday morning, and Bands on Bricks featuring Bub’s McKeg and The Aces at the corner lot.
Jondavid Longo, mayor of Slippery Rock, said VillageFest is one of the longest-standing community gatherings, and he enjoys the chance to see residents and out-of-towners mingling during the event.
“Because of its longevity, it’s the best way Slippery Rock is able to showcase business owners and storefronts. It’s grown tenfold since its inception,” he said.
Longo said he hopes folks come out to VillageFest to experience all the borough has to offer.
“It’s one of the best opportunities to see and talk to people not just in the Slippery Rock community, but in other counties like Butler, Lawrence, Mercer and beyond. It helps me get a pulse on the town and how people coming in are thinking and what thoughts they have on Slippery Rock.”
The weekend of excitement will keep attendees engaged in the community, McPherson said.
“The goal is to bring people to Slippery Rock to see what we have to offer. We’re trying to get people to stay in our hotel, eat in our restaurants, and draw attention to the town,” he said. “It’s a big deal for our little town.”
