SAXONBURG — When the Saxonburg Festival of the Arts was canceled after many Septembers in the borough, the town’s business owners weren’t ready to give up on the extra revenue the festival provided.

The result of their efforts, called “Minglefest,” was held Saturday on Main Street as a less expansive version of the popular post-summer festival.

The old festival covered Main Street from Pittsburgh Street to the old church at the end of the street, plus an area from the church to Roebling Park; Minglefest stretched only from Pittsburgh to Isabella streets this year.

In years past, the Saxonburg Fine Arts Show enjoyed visitors who strolled past the show at the Saxonburg Presbyterian Church, but the east end of the festival was a block away from the church this year.

That didn’t derail the art competition, which attracted 178 pieces by artists in the region surrounding Saxonburg for the 37th annual art show.

“We were pleasantly surprised this year because they had canceled (the arts festival),” said committee member Susan Beatty.

While visitors could vote on the photography entries, a judge selected the winners for the works of art in three categories.

The most popular subjects in the artists’ works were animals and landscapes, said Carol Walchesky, chairwoman of the art show committee.

Judged Best in Show was a painting of a pileated woodpecker by Mark Anderson, who spent Saturday and Sunday performing demonstrations of acrylic painting for visitors.

The theme or this year’s art show was “Things that fly.”

Shirley Winkler, of Saxonburg, also displayed her Ikebana, which is the Japanese art of flower arranging.

While many slots along both sides of Main Street were vacant, most saw vendors selling everything from fudge and Chinese food to jewelry and raffle baskets to benefit the South Butler Community Library.

Those who attended Sprankle’s Octoberfest 2023 in the neighboring property of the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company took the shortcut set up by the dual festivals to see what was going on Main Street as well.

Tyler Gray, of Winfield Township, said he comes to the festival every year for the food, drinks and vendors.

“It gets everyone together,” Gray said. “And the people patronize the small shops, so they become known.”

The 2019 Knoch graduate, who scarfed down some perogies at the festival, said everyone should appreciate the festival.

“It’s a great thing to have in our community,” he said.

Lisa Blackwell, who owns Rustic Blossom on Main Street, sipped a Bloody Mary that came with a slice of sausage, pepperoni, fresh mozzarella and an olive suspended over the plastic glass on a toothpick.

“It is so good,” Blackwell said.

As a business owner, she was disheartened when she learned the borough council had canceled the event due to a lack of volunteer help.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Octoberfest is still happening,” Blackwell said. “We are a little disappointed that they canceled the arts festival.”

She said the empty vendor spots are the result of switching from the arts festival to Minglefest, which had additional requirements of vendors.

“I hope we are back to the arts festival next year,” Blackwell said.

Still, her shop was packed on Saturday with shoppers due to the positive turnout at Minglefest.

“This weekend alone, I will make a big chunk of my profits for the year,” Blackwell said.

Corbin Claypoole, 7, of West Sunbury, attended Minglefest on Saturday.

“I thought it was actually pretty cool,” Corbin said. “My favorite thing to do is look around at the booths and my favorite thing to do is also to eat.”

He had some chocolate chip banana bread and “two bites of a hot dog” at Minglefest.

But his very favorite was the small mocha cappuccino he sipped as he walked.

“It’s from the Shepherd’s Coffee Co. truck. My aunt works there,” Corbin said. “My aunt also made me this coffee.”

Corbin echoed the sentiments of many who attended Minglefest this weekend.

“I give it a thumbs-up,” he said.