New fall festival slated for Riverfront Park in Leechburg
A new outdoor festival is coming to Leechburg.
The inaugural Leechburg Frightening Fall Festival is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, in Riverfront Park.
The event is sponsored by the Leechburg Area Community Association.
Co-organizers are association volunteers Molly Hill and Doreen Smeal.
Smeal said the association wanted to offer a fall activity for the community and chose the park because of its natural beauty and large, open spaces.
“We want to show people what can be done with that gazebo and bring the town together,” Smeal said.
The white gazebo in the park will serve as the main gathering area for the rain-or-shine event.
The park, behind Sprankle’s Market, is nestled along the Kiski River. Park entrances are located under the Leechburg Bridge and by the Lower Kiski Ambulance station on Kiski Avenue. It’s several blocks long with more than eight picnic tables and benches.
Local musician Terry Goulding will entertain with acoustic folk/rock music from 1 to 3 p.m. at the gazebo.
A pumpkin-carving contest is free to enter, and cash prizes will be awarded to first- and second-place winners in the most original and best craftsmanship categories.
Participants are asked to drop off their carved pumpkin at noon at the gazebo.
The event is family friendly and will offer children’s activities such as a petting zoo, monster mash dance party, hayrides, crafts, a strolling magician, face painting, games and holiday-themed photo sessions.
Hayrides and petting zoo admission prices are $5 each.
Cody Karpinski of Gilpin will drive his antique tractor for the hay rides.
His mother, Kira Karpinski, is volunteering and said events in the borough are ramping up.
“I love seeing all the new events happening in town. People are having a great time, and our little valley is really starting to become lively,” she said. “I believe this is just the beginning of the phenomenal events that will bring people to our town and show what a special place it is.”
Food vendors will include Pittsburgh Crepes, Aunt Kellie’s Cookies, Lisa’s Shaved Ice, Del Vecchio’s, The Gravy Griddle, Blue Ribbon Kettle Korn and Highlander Jerky.
The community association is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting Leechburg. It hosts Halloweenburg, Flowerpots/Beautification of Leechburg, Luminate Leechburg and other events in the borough.
For more information, search on Facebook for Leechburg’s LACA Frightening Fall Festival.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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