Those looking to cap off the summer with a fun family event should consider the 21st annual Slippery Rock VillageFest to be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 on Main Street and the Gateway parking lot.

Tom McPherson, of Slippery Rock Development, said a committee from the company plans the VillageFest each year.

He said the 21st VillageFest will feature about 130 vendors, including artisans, crafters, fundraising booths from churches and nonprofit organizations, and everyone’s favorite, the food.

“To tell you the truth, I barely get time to eat,” McPherson said when asked his favorite morsel among the food vendors.

He said because the borough’s scenic Main Street is closed for the event, a free shuttle runs every 15 minutes between the Eastlake and Westlake parking lots at Slippery Rock University to Main Street.

Several new things are planned for the 2024 VillageFest, including four bands on two stages instead of the usual two musical acts.

McPherson said the four bands are the Seth Verba Band, Treebeard Brown, Kleemann Brothers, and Hot Rod Willy. The bands will play on stages at the gazebo in the grassy area at the intersection of Main and New Castle streets, and the Main Street Stage at the main crosswalk.

A doughnut-eating contest for those 18 and older will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Kid’s Zone in the Gateway parking lot.

A hot dog-eating contest will be held at 2:30 p.m., also in the Gateway Parking lot.

The prize for those contests is $250.

A Backyard Cookoff Competition will allow grill masters to show off their skills in one or all of three categories: chili, ribs or chef’s choice.

The prize for those competitions will be $250.

McPherson said the chef’s choice category was added for those who have a special item they prepare on the grill that is not chili or ribs.

“That kind of opened up the competition,” he said.

He said competitors pay one entry fee and can choose to compete in all three categories or just one. They must bring their own ingredients and grill, and every aspect of each recipe must be prepared on-site.

The Backyard Cookoff Competition will be held in the alley beside North Country Brewing on Main Street.

A cornhole competition for adults will be held from noon to 3 p.m. in the grassy area at Main and New Castle streets

The Kids Zone will have bounce houses, games, a magic show, a musical chairs competition, face painting and other features, including a Little Tots Lot for children aged 5 and younger.

Businesses and restaurants in Slippery Rock will be open during VillageFest, and many will have booths in front of their shops.

McPherson said the event is planned on Slippery Rock University’s family weekend, so parents can enjoy the festivities before attending The Rock football game that afternoon or evening. SRU hosts Edinboro at 7 p.m. Saturday.

“They think it’s just a great atmosphere,” he said of the SRU parents.

McPherson said there is something for everyone at VillageFest.

“You don’t see people all the time because you’re working or in school, then one Saturday you can come to town and you’re seeing people you haven’t seen and you enjoy the day,” he said. “Come on out, rain or shine.”

Craig Caldwell, also a VillageFest committee member, said the weather the past five years has been great for the festival.

He said 15,000 people turned out last year.

“The whole community supports VillageFest, and the businesses in town rely on it,” Caldwell said. “I’m just always amazed at how many people we get.”

He said the food vendors, which are spread out, are very popular.

His favorites are the scones and Buffalo chicken dip from Simplified Meals by Ginger.

Caldwell said 2024 is the first year all vendor applications, registration forms and other documents were moved to a digital format instead of filling out a paper form and mailing it to Slippery Rock Development.

Like McPherson, Caldwell hopes everyone will come out for this year’s Slippery Rock VillageFest.

“We try to make it bigger and better every year,” he said.