Zelienople Autumn Fun Fest draws a crowd
ZELIENOPLE — Beautiful weather and a variety of activities drew a crowd to the Autumn Fun Fest at Zelienople Community Park on Saturday, Oct. 26, where nearly 300 children were expected, matching the turnout from the event’s first year in 2022.
“Last year was kind of a bummer because of the weather, but it’s a great turnout today and the weather is absolutely perfect,” said Lyndsey Granata, park manager.
Granata has been park manager for a year and also is on the borough’s park board. The board, currently consisting of eight members, meets monthly to plan events such as the Autumn Fun Fest.
“We basically come together, come up with ideas, and we take care of all this,” said Granata, gesturing to the park around her.
She added that the Autumn Fun Fest is a wonderful way to bring the community together.
“There are so many things to do for the kids, and they all seem to be having a great time,” Granata said.
Park board members volunteered throughout the event, with members Carol Schneider and Nicole Parson greeting visitors as they arrived, explaining the eight stations set up for the children to enjoy.
“They can get pictures and selfies; they can get a pumpkin and take it to the gazebo and paint it,” Schneider said. “We’ve got cookies hanging from strings, and they can bob for them at the blue tent. We’ve got a hay maze at the top of the hill that they can go through, and we have a bunch of different games.”
Games for children to play included golf, a skeleton game, pumpkins and witches hat ring tosses, along with face painting.
Adults and even dogs enjoyed the event. Zelienople locals Lynn and Mark Valella brought, Josie, one of their “grandpuppies” to the event.
“It’s such a beautiful day, and it’s just a fun thing to do,” Lynn Valella said.
