Decker Kramer high-fives Spiderman during Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
CONNOQUENESSING TWP — The annual Family Fun Night at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Tuesday, Aug. 20, saw families and community leaders gather for an evening of, well, fun.
State Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, representatives from UPMC Health Plan, Burn Boot Camp-Butler, and others were on hand to offer information to attendees of the free event.
Sponsored by Armstrong, NexTier Bank, Center for Community Resources and others, the Family Fun Night is a way for the community to come together.
Children and families meandered through the event to see tents from local groups and organizations, including the Butler County Farm Bureau.
“I like to get out and explain the farm bureau to people and the work we do for farmers,” board vice president Evelyn Minteer said.
In addition to the booths, emergency services units were on hand, and the UPMC van offered free screenings and opportunities for residents to learn about the resources available in the county. Free screenings included blood pressure, cholesterol and bone density tests.
“I just think that we’re a community-minded health insurer and it’s important to meet people where they’re at,” director of public relations Denise Hughes said.
Children sat in chairs as they had their faces painted and ate hot dogs and side dishes provided by Fairground Market. They could also enjoy free dilly bars from the Summit Township Dairy Queen and cookies from Firehouse Subs.
“I think it’s a great way to see families outside the library, make some new contacts and see all of the resources here in Butler. It’s kind of a one-stop shop,” said Peter Bess, assistant director of the Butler Area Public Library.
Live demonstrations included karate demonstrations by C.S. Kim Karate and educational showcases by the EAS Carpenters Union. Mascots walking about from local businesses included Slippery Rock University’s mascot Rocky, as well as Scoop, the Butler Eagle’s mascot.
Festivalgoers also had the opportunity to give back to the community by donating nonperishable foods to support the fun night’s “Stuff-A-Bus,” which benefits the Kids’ Weekend Backpack Program in the Butler Area School District. The backpack program provides food for local students in need.
“This is really, really nice, what a fun little event for kids in the community,” said Sarah Hoen, a Butler resident and first-time attendee.
Richie Tritch gets his face painted during Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Myles Hemphill eats a s’mores sandwich during Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
John Nagel plays mini golf during Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Hunter Organ eats a s’mores sandwich during Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
John Nagel plays mini golf during Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Firefighter Steph Steele-Morrie shows Kemper Rock equipment the local fire department uses during Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Coraline Tunstall (right), pets Izabella rose owned Emily (left) during Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
EJ Farster works on painting a miniature house during Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Addy Farster reaches for more orange paint for her miniature house during Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Steven Keck watches as free ice-cream is put into cups to be served to visitors of Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Sisters Rachel (right) and Nicole (left) Brown enjoy ice-cream as they visit different stations of Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Addy Farster reaches for more orange paint for her miniature house during Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Nicholas Tritch checks out his face painting in the mirror during Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Myles and Mykalena Hemphill cook marshmallows for s'mores during Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Steven Keck chooses vanilla as free ice cream is served to visitors of Family Fun Night on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at the Butler Farm Show grounds in Connoquenessing Township. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
