Saltsburg Canal Days 2012

The 31st Annual Saltsburg Canal Days Festival was held June 1st through June 3rd this year!

Festivities for the fun-filled weekend included a wide range of activities - from a parade, music and food to crafters, live entertainment and fireworks!

Upon entering the festival area, I found the signs below indicating the connection of Saltsburg Canal Park to the PA Main Line Canal from 1829-1864 and the history of Saltsburg.

While waiting for the parade to start on Saturday morning, I headed down to the river.  You could tell that some intense rains had hit the area the day before through the elevated water levels and the muddy appearance of the river!

Look at the easy access into the river for those interested in taking a canoe and/or kayak trip!

Since I still had a few minutes before the parade kicked off at noon, I headed to the rear of the Stone House Museum to see the Herb Society's display.  They were selling perennials, herbs, annuals, roses, brunnera, globe thistle, climbing spinach, stepping stones, homemade breads and assorted garden items.

Next up, it was time to grab a Fried Dough Sandwich from the Saltsburg Volunteer Fire Department to enjoy while watching the parade.   I must say, that of all the food I've eaten over the years at various fairs and festivals, this sandwich was truly one of the best I've ever had!  I opted for the "traditional" salami version of the sandwich versus the "new" ham version that they now make, too - though the ham looked great too! Anybody out there know where else the Volunteer Fire Department sells their sandwiches during the year - if so, leave a comment - we'd love to know!  They are awesome!

Finally, it was time for the parade to begin!  The parade featured area bands, cheerleaders, emergency response vehicles - firetrucks and ambulances, plus many more other groups!

At the conclusion of the parade, spectators made their way back to Canal Park for the festival!

Also occurring nearby, those participating in a sojourn were getting their kayaks and canoes ready to launch into the river! 

The West Penn Trail runs parallel to the river in this part of Saltsburg so my family and I decided to capitalize on this beautiful weather and take a short hike down the trail!  Below are photos from the very beginning of our hike!

Here you can see an example of the many placards that line the trail with interesting tidbits of information for hikers to enjoy along their travels.

Before heading home, we had to stop and take a photograph of the John T. Crawford Camp #43 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Department of Pennsylvania. Throughout the entire weekend, these re-enactors and re-enactors from the Carpenter's Battery were present.  Spectators could visit their camps to see how Civil War soldiers lived.

Additional entertainment and activities throughout the three day festival included:  Tours of the Stone House Museum, Loyal Hannah's Guild Quilt Show, Flag Retiring Ceremony, Karaoke Contests, Clowns and a Duck Race.

Next year, during the first weekend in June, be sure to plan to stop by the Canal Days Festival for a great time! We hope to see you there!

Friday, May 18th, and Saturday, May 19th, was the 37th Annual May Mart Festival in Indiana, PA.  The festival is held at the White Township Recreation Complex/S&T Bank Arena and is the annual fundraiser for the Indiana Garden Club.  

In addition to numerous nurseries providing a wide selection of annuals, perennials and shrubs, over 100 vendors and crafters sell unique items at the show.

The event features plants and crafts both inside the building as well as outdoors.  In the photos below, you can see the beautiful array of plants and flowers available for purchase.  As you can see, there were many nurseries and individuals there with a great selection to choose from!   

  

Once entering the building, directions to the arenas are clearly marked.  Entering the left arena, we found the "Indiana Garden Club Orphan's Court" - which are homeless plants just waiting for you to adopt them.  They come directly from the gardens of members of the Indiana Garden Club and are ready to be planted immediately. 

Also located in this arena were additional nurseries and individuals selling their annuals and perennials!

 

Also available for purchase in this arena were numerous craft items as well as Amish-made furniture including, swings, gliders, rockers, arbors, planters, picnic tables and much, much more!

The second arena was brimming with crafters and also included a kids zone.  In the kids zone, kids could choose to make a craft or plant their very own herb - taking it with them free of charge when they left!  What a fun, hands-on activity for the children!

 Here you can see the many crafts that filled this arena!

 

The traditional Mushroom Sandwiches and Strawberry Pies were available at the Indiana Garden Club Food booth located in the Indoor Food Area of the Ice and Recreation Center.   These two food items are the annual items served at May Mart every year!

   

Additional food, such as ice cream, hot sausage sandwiches and funnel cakes were also available for purchase inside and outside the center.

Also in the center court area, live entertainment was provided by locally talented performers.

What a fun way to spent the day - enjoying some delicious food, looking at beautiful flowers and shopping for crafts.  May Mart is a great place to check out some super deals on plants and flowers for the upcoming summer season.  With free admission and parking, May Mart is an excellent place to visit - be sure to mark your calendar for next May!