Horse Trading Days gallops back for 60th time
ZELIENOPLE — The 60th annual edition of Horse Trading Days kicked off with an impressive turnout on Thursday.
For an event that began in conjunction with an actual horse show back in 1963 and has been held every year since (except for 2020 because of COVID-19), it has consistently expanded in a positive way.
That growth is largely because of Matthew Edwards and his devoted team, who work year-round to make sure they are prepared for one of the town’s most prominent community events.
“It certainly has evolved from a more traditional summer festival where crafts were the one and only focus and that was just the way that it was,” said Edwards, who is executive director for the Zelienople Area Business Association and main coordinator of the festival. “As we’ve grown and demographics have changed, it became necessary for us to adapt to.
“We want to keep that rich tradition, and that’s what it’s about for us. We still have a large presence of those craft and food vendors that have always been here, but we also want to keep progressing to make sure that it’s something that is appealing to the next generation of Zelienople residents too.”
The three-day extravaganza now includes live music, a 5K, a cornhole tournament, a dog show and even a hot dog eating contest.
Those types of newer activities have given a unique feel to an event which attracts people from all over the region.
“We’re really just trying to provide something for everybody, those who want to honor the past and those who want to look forward and be progressive,” Edwards added.
While the event hosts a multitude of specialty food and craft vendors that pack both sides of the streets, it also brings plenty of welcome notoriety to local brick-and-mortar businesses already in place.
One of those businesses is Whitey’s General Store, which has resided on South Main Street in the borough for 18 years.
Owner Dwight Boehm sells a variety of Pittsburgh sports themed attire and other novelty items. The festival brings incredible opportunities to expand the existing customer base.
“This (event) traditionally has been our bread and butter,” said Boehm, who resides in Cranberry. “It’s always been a big weekend for us, and it’s a good way to showcase the town. It brings people out who wouldn’t normally be here. My hope is that they all come back and become regular customers, and a lot of them do.”
For a lot of local residents, Horse Trading Days has become a marquee celebration to look forward to.
“It’s such a nice community and an even nicer event,” said Zelienople resident Bobbie Gianakas, who was in attendance Thursday with her husband and their two Newfoundland dogs. “Everybody has really pulled together since (the COVID-19 cancellation) to make the businesses prosper. It’s been an amazing boom for the area.”
The festival runs through Saturday evening and concludes with a pay-to-watch concert at the ShuBrew Main Stage featuring local rock band This That & the Other Thing, and multiplatinum alternative rock band The Verve Pipe.
