Sleepy Hollow Festival celebrates success
HARMONY — As Zelienople's Fall Festival continues decades of success, another neighboring festival is making its mark in Harmony.
The 3rd annual Sleepy Hollow Festival seeks to continue its growth.
“It has grown tremendously,” festival organizer MJ McCurdy said.
McCurdy said the first two years of the festival's existence have been successful.
She said the inaugural festival was “informal” and without promotion. It was started by three people who wanted to bring a fall festival back to Harmony years after a previous festival had stopped.
“No one was there to head it up. We knew about the Zelienople-Harmony Fall Festival that was going on in Zelienople primarily and we decided we wanted to do something here,” McCurdy said.
The Sleepy Hollow Festival was well-received and organizers were “surprised by the turnout.”
“A good number of people came from both Zelienople and Harmony,” she said. “That's how we decided to continue.”
Every year, the festival adds new activities and attractions.
Starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, the festival will open with a plethora of family friendly and seasonal activities.
For the first time, the festival will feature ghost walks by the Three Towers Paranormal Investigation Group. Walks will start at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday throughout town.
The Wandering Witches of Harmony costume contest and parade will take place from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday on Mercer Street. Those interested in the contest should call Jo Annette Synkar at 724-452-5509.
Activities for children will be available throughout both days, including an impromptu art show.
Another feature is the annual scavenger hunt. A town map will be available at Wunderbar and clues will be scattered throughout town. Those who complete their hunts will win prizes.“Families are always looking for something for kids to do,” McCurdy said. “This year we're going to have interactive games for them.”A free shuttle service will travel to the area, which also goes through the Zelienople Country Fall Festival.At dusk Saturday, a fire hoopers performance will entertain the crowd at the Harmony Emporium on Mercer Street with flaming hula hoops.Musical performances include the Allegheny Drifters at the Bottlebrush Gallery and Mary Lou Scherzer at the Harmony Inn.Sunday's activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. will include an art show at the Bottlebrush Gallery, a seasonal craft brew release at Harmony Inn, art activities for children and tours of the Harmony Museum.“There's lots of fun things to do for both adults and kids,” McCurdy said.A full schedule and more information can be found at the Harmony Business Association's website at harmonybusinessassociation.com.
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