Labor Day often marks the time to change home decor from summer to fall.
Shoppers will find a large array of seasonal and holiday decorating items this weekend at the 28th annual Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts Labor Day Festival at the Westmoreland Fairgrounds.
About 200 vendors will fill five buildings and line walkways during the four-day event. Hours will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Monday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
“This is a nice opportunity to get out and do some shopping,” said Trisha Cusick, assistant to promoter Dave Stoner, owner of Family Festivals Association Inc. “You can go online and get anything from all over the world delivered to you in 48 hours, but here you can pick something up and turn it around and see what it really looks like. That’s kind of the fun of it.”
In addition to decor and decorations, vendors will offer items such as handmade jewelry, embellished clothing, scented candles, floral arrangements, pet treats and accessories, gourmet dip and drink mixes and handmade soaps, lotions and body care products.
A variety of new exhibitors will display one-of-a-kind hooded towels and whimsies, handcrafted wood chips for aging bourbon, hand-drawn maps, dog breed charms, creepy Halloween crafts and handcrafted leather bracelets, among other items.
A winery and distillery also will be present.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for shoppers to support small businesses, which were hit hard by the pandemic,” Stoner said.
Attendees also will be able to choose from a wide selection of favorite festival foods, including pulled pork, hot sausage, steak hoagies, gyros and side dishes such as fries, nachos, haluski and pierogies. Funnel cakes, ice cream desserts and cookies will add a sweet touch. Available beverages will include soft drinks, lemonade, iced tea, coffee and hot chocolate.
Children can vie for prizes at a fishing pond game. The Rolling W Farm Petting Zoo will be onsite Saturday and Sunday, with rides on Bob’s CHS Express Barrel Train available Saturday through Monday.
Entertainment will be provided Saturday by the 41-member Penn-Trafford Community Band, a longtime staple of the festival. The Scottdale Concert Band, a first-time participant, will play Sunday.
Daily admission to the festival is $6.50, $6 for those 65 and older, $3 for ages 12-15 and free to younger children. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more. Parking is free.
Attendees purchasing advance tickets online will be able to enter through an express gate rather than waiting in line, Cusick noted.
Details: 724-836-4577 or familyfestivals.com