Thousands turn out for iconic-themed Vandergrift Artfest
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Tommy Scanga got serious with his spuds Sunday in anticipation of feeding hundreds of hungry festivalgoers in Vandergift.
Scanga, owner of Del Vecchio’s Sausage & Fries, had 1,000 pounds of potatoes at the ready in his food truck to make his specialty fresh-cut fries for the 16th annual Vandergrift Artfest, held in the borough’s historic business district.
“Vandergrift should be proud of what they do with this. We’re ready,” Scanga said while handling deep-fry duties. “I’m gonna sell out. We’ll be feeding the whole town.”
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The celebration’s theme was “Beyond the Yellow Brick Road.”
Thousands of people mingled and meandered among about 100 vendor booths, made appearances in Oz-themed costumes and munched on food truck fare during the nine-hour celebration promoting the arts.
Dorothy, the Tin Man and other Oz characters were spotted roaming the festival, held along Washington and Grant avenues, both of which were closed to traffic for the event.
A giant flying monkey hung suspended from a wire above the crowd, and ruby red slippers, donned by many little girls and one grandmother, sparkled in the summer sun.
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Katie Monroe of Leechburg glittered in a pink formal gown as Glenda the Good Witch.
“Hurry, let’s go. We can’t be late for the scavenger hunt,” Monroe told her friend Rachel Reinke, who was decked out in a bright green costume paying homage to the Emerald City in Oz.
“I get very emotional thinking about what a small group of people can do and the ripples that it has on a town like Vandergrift,” said organizer Lisa Dormire.
Dormire and her team of 40 volunteers worked for months prepping for Vandergrift’s largest festival.
“The arts transcends politics and all of the troubles that divide us, and what we can do for one day becomes a movement that brings the most creative and magical people to our town,” Dormire said. “Vandergrift is just a great place for creative people, and I’m proud that people get to see that during Artfest.”
Right now…Vandergrift’s Artfest festival along a closed-off Grant Avenue. @VNDNews @TribWestmoreCo @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/1s9QXdVylX
— Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) July 30, 2023
Last year, more than 3,000 attended. Dormire said she anticipates this year’s attendance will be an all-time high.
Scheduled events included nonstop live music, an art show, free children’s activities, youth dance and song performances, a costume contest, visits with characters from “The Wizard of Oz” and a drum circle and jam session.
First-time attendees David and Danielle Lovelace of Leechburg ordered brisket from Conny Creek Brewing Co. in Allegheny Township for their sidewalk lunch.
“It’s delicious, and I’m enjoying seeing so many young entrepreneurs here selling their artwork. It’s a great community event,” David Lovelace said.
First-time vendor Robyn Scherer of Glitzy Glasses, based in West Mifflin, described Artfest as friendly and welcoming.
Scherer sells handpainted drinkware on Etsy and rarely attends festivals, but she heard Artfest was worth a vendor visit.
“I like it here because Vandergrift is nice, and it’s different than being closer to the city,” she said. “Everyone is nice, friendly, and so many families are here. There’s something for everyone and very well-run.”