ZELIENOPLE — Harper Lewis, 14, of Fombell, Beaver County, perused the earrings at a vendor booth at the 4th annual Family Food Truck Festival on Saturday at Glade Run Lutheran Services, but she understood, in an adult way, what the festival is all about.

“It’s important for socialization,” Harper said. “People who don’t know each other — or who do know each other — can sit down and eat and have fun together,” she said.

The festival featured eight diverse food trucks, a car cruise, bake sale, libation station, music, raffles and several vendors booths. The latter was added as a new feature this year.

The Zelienople Rotary Yard Sale returned to the festival this year as well.

Sheila Talarico, vice president of development and external affairs at Glade Run Lutheran Services, said the event was created to showcase the Glade Run campus, bring the community together, and raise funds for the programs and services provided by Glade Run.

“Often that means supporting basic and emergency needs for the children, adults and families we serve,” she said.

Talarico said the bright sunshine, slight breeze and low humidity on Saturday during the festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. was a pleasant surprise after Friday night’s thunderstorms.

“We are absolutely blessed to have wonderful weather today so the community can enjoy this great event,” she said.

Steven Green, CEO at Glade Run Lutheran Services, said he loves the festival.

“It’s nice to have an opportunity to show the community our campus and show people what services we provide,” Green said.

He pointed out Glade Run’s community partners who set up booths at the festival, like the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, YMCA and other organizations.

“They’re all our friends,” Green said. “It’s a good way to celebrate collaboration.”

Patty McElroy, of Zelienople, attended the festival with nine friends.

She enjoyed a pulled pork sandwich from one of the food trucks, and planned to visit the libation station.

“We will be sampling moonshine,” McElroy said.

Frank Longobrdy, of Zelienople, has attended past festivals. He munched on French fries as a volunteer at this year’s event.

“It’s fun, and I always make new friends,” he said.

Brandie Miltcheva, of Beaver County, brought her daughter, Eva, 3, to the festival.

“I work here, and I wanted to show her where Mama works,” Miltcheva said as Eva noshed on ice cream.

“She had a steak quesadilla too,” she said of Eva.

Miltcheva said she feels the annual festival is important to not only Glade Run, but the larger Zelienople community as well.

“It brings the community together and families together and promotes our wonderful agency,” she said.

Harper Lewis’ sister, Sydney, 13, also checked out all the items on sale in the booths at the festival.

“It’s really cool,” Sydney said of the festival. “I like walking around and looking at all the stuff for sale.”

Sydney had pulled pork and sushi, while Harper enjoyed a gyro.

“It was nice and crispy,” she said.

Grayson Fester, of Ford City, Armstrong County, came to the festival with his dad for two reasons: to peruse the gleaming vehicles at the car show and chow down.

Grayson’s favorite car of all time is the Ferrari F40, but he also likes the Shelby Mustang.

He took pictures of the classic rides and spotless engines of the cars he viewed at the festival.

“Cars are really just very interesting things,” Grayson said.

He said he and his friends pursue the hobby of “car hunting,” in which they ride their bicycles in search of cool vehicles, then take photos they enhance to make the car stand out.

Todd Weinschenk, of New Castle, impressed Grayson and many others with his 2008 California Special Mustang.

The underside of the hood has 17 Bible verses or Christianity-related graphics surrounding a picture of a large wooden cross in the middle.

“This is how I plant the seed,” Weinschenk said.

A woman passing by marveled at the car.

“You have the best hood I’ve ever seen,” she said. “Can I take a picture?”

“People call it ‘Mustang ministries,’” Weinschenk said.

A steady stream of visitors remained in the quad at Glade Run until 3 p.m., when the Family Food Truck Festival was packed up after another successful year.