Lower Burrell pays homage to changing season with annual Harvest Festival

Organizers of Lower Burrell’s harvest festival couldn’t have asked for a better day than Saturday to hold their annual community event.

After a week of summer-like temperatures that peaked into the 80s, the crisp autumn breeze and bright sunny sky was the perfect accompaniment for a day of festivities that kicked off at 9 a.m. with the season’s final farmers market at Bon Air Elementary School along with a morning yoga session.

The grade school also was the site of a car show from 1 to 8 p.m. featuring a selection of antique, collectible and high-performance vehicles from across the decades. The competitive event featured awards in four categories.

The main event was held at Burrell High School, where nearly a dozen free activity and game booths were set up — including junior ax throwing, pumpkin painting, art projects, face painting and a bounce house. Live music was provided throughout the day by Derrick Beattie and Let’s Duet.

“I think it’s a great festival, especially for the children,” said Christy Callen of Leechburg, who said she learned about the event from a friend. “We’re always trying to support things happening in our community, so when we heard about this we decided to attend.”

Several food booths and trucks offered deep-fried Oreos and funnel cake, Hawaiian-style shaved ice, barbecue, caramel apples, decorated sugar cookies and apple cider.

A corn hole tournament also drew a steady string of teams showing off their bean-bag tossing skills to best their opponents for cash prizes.

One highlight was a visit by Lower Burrell’s police dog, Buc, and his handler, Officer Aaron Rodgers, who put on a demonstration showcasing the K-9’s keen ability to follow commands. Police Chief John Marhefka joined in by donning a large padded glove to help demonstrate how Buc can be used to subdue a suspect.

Aaron and Amanda Cunningham, who took their 3-year-old daughter, Ava, to Saturday’s festival, said one of the things that attracted them to Lower Burrell seven years ago was the small-town feel and friendliness.

“I’m from Monroeville, so it was kind of a big change moving here, but I really like the community and the school district is great,” Amanda said.

Aaron, who was raised in Kittanning, said “little things” like the harvest festival make Lower Burrell an attractive place for families.

Destiny Gray said she drove her six children — ages 14, 13, 10, 9, 7 and 6 — to Saturday’s festival from Clarion because she is always on the lookout for family-oriented activities.

“Kids can’t just sit at home, they need to get out and have some fun and socialize with other kids,” she said as her daughter, Ava Zourelias, 9, tried her skill at the junior ax throwing stand. “We love taking road trips to things like this where there’s so much for the kids to do.”