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Indiana County, Pennsylvania is located in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains -just one hour east of Pittsburgh and has several unique attractions and entities that make it a very desirable travel destination.

Indiana County is home to: 64 miles of Rails to Trails and more than 15 miles of single track mountain biking, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a robust Agritourism industry, old order Amish families, and a wealth of history ranging from the French and Indian War to our own hometown hero, Jimmy Stewart.


Thursday, October 6, 2011

22nd Annual Smicksburg Fall Festival

The town of Smicksburg kicked off it's 22nd Annual Fall Festival from Friday, September 30th through Sunday, October 2nd. 

Smicksburg is an Amish community located in a northern part of Indiana County - about 35 to 40 minutes north of downtown Indiana.  Despite the inclement weather, it was still a pretty ride through the rolling countryside of the county where automobiles share the roads with horses and buggies.  Visitors will know that they are nearing the Amish community when they see the grooves in the roads from the wheels of the horses and buggies.

 In case you are unfamiliar with the history of the Amish in Indiana County - here's a little information for you! 

Since 1961, the Amish population in Indiana County has grown to include over 800 settlers. Smicksburg or "Schmicksburg," West Mahoning Township, Route 954 was founded in May of 1827 by Reverend J. George Schmick. Reverend Schmick was a Lutheran minister who purchased land from Charles Coleman.
The Smicksburg Post Office opened October 1, 1830. John Kerr was the postmaster at that time. Kerr was also the blacksmith. The borough was incorporated in 1854.  Within Smicksburg and the surrounding area, there are over 20 specialty stores offering country crafts, quilts, furniture, foods and more. 

When you visit the area, be on the lookout for stores scattered throughout the area as well as clustered together in downtown Smicksburg.  As we drove towards downtown Smicksburg, we suddenly happened upon Yoder's Country Living.


Beautiful display on the porch, surrounding the entrance to Yoder's.


In addition to the beautiful fall foliage displays on the porch, there was also a large selection of baked goods for sale.  I arrived shortly after the start of the fall festival at 10am and already the store was very busy!  Inside, guests could find a multitude of country crafts including handmade rugs, quilts, foods and furniture.  There was also live entertainment inside the store as well as samplings of many fall foods, mixes and spiced cider!

Next, I headed back to the car and continued along Route 954 until coming across Smicksburg Chocolate Shop and General Store!  As I pulled into the parking lot, I saw that the cars were sharing the lot with Amish horses and buggies whose owners were inside the store shopping too. 


Below is a photo of the entrance into the store.


The inside of this store was exactly what I envisioned an Amish General Store to look like!   Visitors could buy foods in bulk, such as many types of flour, sugars, grains, spices, candies, baking supplies and so much more. 

Next, I continued  onto East Kittanning Street in Smicksburg where I parked at Old Smicksburg Park.  Parking was a breeze (which was a great relief due to the continuous rain) thanks to the members of a nearby volunteer fire department that were parking vehicles and directing traffic.


I then walked along Kittaning Street and first stopped at a great shop called The Drying Shed.  This store had multiple levels and rooms brimming with unique and beautiful items including primitive prints, Americana items, potpourri, barn stars, handmade country wreaths, other seasonal gifts plus much, much  more.


Below is a street shot of The Drying Shed's porch which was also decorated with many decorative items available for purchase!


Located behind The Drying Shed as a beautiful pumpkin and mum display as well as a tent selling a many varieties of apples as well as cider!


I continued on foot up down the street behind The Drying Shed and came upon The Country Cupboard, located on Clarion Street. 


Inside the Country Cupboard was a wealth of country-type home decor, candles, gifts as well as an entire room devoted to the sales of Windgate Winery items.

After leaving the Country Cupboard and walking down the street, you could see the John G. Schmick Heritage Center.  Visitors can learn history about the Smicksburg area inside this center.




Next was a stop at Smicksburg Pottery to see an eclectic and affordable collection of functional pottery, hand blown glass, fashion accessories, exotic wood products, prints and paintings.


Here is a shot from the front porch of Smicksburg Pottery, facing the street across from it.  As you can see, on the far right is Thee Village Eatinghouse, then in the middle is Thee Village Sampler and finally on the left is another photo of The Drying Shed.


We had lunch at Thee Village Eatinghouse where they had a special Fall Festival Menu specific for that weekend!  The service and food were phenomenal.  The "special of the day" was a Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich with a side of pasta salad. 


Another item on their special menu for this particular weekend was a delicious Reuben sandwich, also served with a side of pasta salad.


Their special weekend menu even featured a section for the youngest of visitors - here is the kids macaroni and cheese, served with tortillas and applesauce!


Also at Thee Village Eatinghouse, there was a baked good display where people were ordering a multitude of baked goods - from cookies and pies to breads and specialty items.

Finally, we went for a short drive to Windgate Vineyards and Winery.   This winery is the largest estate winery in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The vineyard's micro climate is nearly perfect for the growing of wine groups due to the elevation, western slope exposure and persistent air drainage that provides warming in the winter and cooling in the summer. Currently the winery bottles over 9,000 gallons of wine each year!! 





Located near the vineyard was a replica of a 18th-Century Log Fort - Fort Mahoning.





It was great to see that even the rainy weather of the day didn't seem to deter visitors from exploring the great shops in the Smicksburg Area! I look forward to returning to their fall festival next year as well as the additional festivals they hold throughout the year.  For details on their next event - Smicksburg Old Fashioned Country Christmas Open House, please check our Calendar of Events or visit www.smicksburg.net!  I hope to see you there!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Cookport Fair

I recently had the pleasure of attending the 94th Annual Cookport Fair - presented by Green Township Community Association, which was held from September 12th - 17th.

Getting to the fair in Commodore was a breeze as directions on their website lead me directly to the fairgrounds where parking was free!

A favorite with families attending the fair were the livestock displays.  Visitors were able to get a very up-close view of various farm animals.




The goats were extremely friendly.  In fact, they were so eagerly looking for treats that I almost lost my camera strap to a hungry goat who thought it apparently looked appetizing!  It was a lot of fun seeing the very cute and very friendly animals!


Below: Very friendly baby goats that were only 8 weeks old.

My family really enjoyed the horse displays at this particular fair. The way the horse stalls were designed here enabled spectators to more easily see the horses due to the wire fencing.  At other fairs I have attended, the enclosures are mostly solid wooden rails making it difficult to see the animals - especially for the smallest of visitors. 



A historical sign marker in a planter in the middle of the fairgrounds.


Check out this remarkable display of items entered into various contests.




On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to attend my first-ever auction - and what a great auction I picked to attend - A Bake Sale Auction!  At this auction, the award-winning baked goods from the baked goods contests were auctioned off to the highest bidder.  For affordable amounts of money, attendees were taking home loads of tempting pies, beautiful breads, cookies and more!

Admission to the fair was $4 per person which permitted you to look at the numerous livestock and agricultural displays.  You could enjoy music and entertainment while also looking at the various booths - including retail booths as well as food booths.

Music and entertainment throughout the week was provided by: 7 Mile Run Band, Jerry Shickling Band, 5th Voice Gospel Quartet, Paul Rode/Drum Corps, Marion Center High School Band, Fellowship Gospel Quartet, Blue Grass/Country-Redding Run Band, Twolick Senior Band, Yesteryear Sounds - Randolph Scott, Baby Boomers Music - White Shadow Band, Penns Manor High School Band, Purchase Line High School Band, Star Twirlers Drill Team, Fabulous Flashbacks, DJ and Karaoke by Bair Music and Johnny Cash Tribute - OLE 97 Band.

Other activities occurring throughout the week included: Talent Shows, Garden Tractor Pull (dead sled), horse shows, baked goods auction, tractor pull-6,000 lbs, log sawing contests, basket auction, tractor pull-8,000 lbs, pet parade and horse pulling contests (light and heavy).
Rides were also present at the fair.  Spectators could purchase single tickets to ride their desired ride or purchase a "ride all day" wristband for that particular day.  There were also numerous games spread throughout the fair grounds for those wanting to try their luck at winning a prize.
Amusements were provided by:


Here are some shots of the many food and retails booths at the fair. 


The fair provided a great family-fun atmosphere!  Be sure to stop by next year - I know I will!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Indiana County Fair 2011

The 149th Annual Indiana County Fair was held August 28th through September 3rd! 

On Sunday, August 28th, there was free admission all day long in honor of "Family Day"!  Christmas trees arrived early that morning, followed by an Antique Motor and Machinery Show.  I arrived just in time to observe the Kid's Pedal Tractor Pull for youngsters 4 to 11 years old.  Kids eagerly lined up to take their turn at the challenge of who could pedal the tractor the furthest.  Proud parents, family and friends as well as other fair spectators filled the grandstand to cheer on the adorable kids.  Also on Sunday, there was a 4-H dog show, an outhouse race, an antique tractor parade, the crowning of the 2011 Indiana County Fair Queen- Colleen McDowell and the evening concluded with "Harvest Home Festival - His Servant in Concert".

Monday, August 29th was $5 admission day with Senior Citizens and Veterans receiving free admission courtesy of the Indiana County Commissioners.  Livestock entries continued being received that morning, followed by harness racing, a log sawing contest, junior dairy showmanship contest.  Pit Passes could be purchased for $10 to attend the Keystone mini-modified pull, stock gasoline 4x4 pickup pull.

Tuesday, August 30th - Indiana Regional Medical Center Day - began the $8 admission after 2pm days which included "Midway Rides of Utica"!  Events of the day included: Jr. Swine Show and Jr. Swine Showmanship, Open Dairy Show & Jr. Dairy Show, Draft Horse Show & Miniature Horse Show, Harness Racing and "Band Night" - where local high school bands performed!

Wednesdays festivities included: Sheep Show, Harness Racing, 4-H Rabbit Show, Lead Line Contest and a performance by Josh Thompson!

Kicking off the Month of September, Thursday the 1st was Turner Dairy Day!  A Beef Show, 4-H Horse Show, 4-H Goat Show, Premier Showmanship Contest/Cheese Auction/Milk Chugging Contest happened throughout the day before the evening activities from local cheerleaders on this "Cheerleading Expo Night"!

Friday September 2nd was Tri-Star Motors Day! Events happening throughout the day included:  a Horse Show, 4-H and FFA Trophy Presentation, Jr. Livestock Sale and an auction.  Later in the evening, fair-goers could purchase a $10 pit pass to attend the "Limited Pro Stock & Smoker Series Tractors, Big Rig Semi's".

 A Horseshoe Pitching Contest, Demolition Derby (with a fee of $20 for Car and Drivers and $15 for Pit Passes) and a Stock-Semi, Tri-Axle Dump & 4x4 Truck Pull (with a $15 hook fee and $10 pit pass) concluded the week-long fair on Saturday, September 3rd.

Below are photos taken of just a few of the numerous tractors and farm equipment that were on display at the fair grounds.  All ages could be seen looking at the fabulous equipment display - including the littlest of "fans".





Below are photos taken from the midways of the eating areas.  From chicken to hot sausage, homemade ice cream to stromboli,  fair favorites like funnel cakes and cotton candy, to unique items such as chocolate covered bacon, there was food there to please every palate.






Beginning on Tuesday, the all-day $8 admission included numerous amusement rides!




For those that enjoy a challenge, many games lined the ride area  - attracting many people attempting their hand at some skills and good luck!








Below are just a sampling of the displays from the agricultural buildings after award ribbons were presented!





Here's the Indiana County Tourist Bureau booth from inside one of the agricultural buildings!








And of course, what's a county fair without photos of livestock? 















































There was also a "Kiddie Farm" area for children which included hands-on activities such as "fishing", riding a tractor, making butter and seeing baby animals plus much more!








Next to the "Kiddie Farm" area was the swine display.








Below is the entrance to one of the horse areas.




















Below are photos from one of the horse shows!

















I had a wonderful time attending the county fair.  Each day that I attended, there was something new to see and experience!  It's a very family friendly event that is perfect for all ages.  I can't wait to go back next year and hope to see you there!