This is the second year that our large local summer festivals were cancelled. Even though things are finally opening up, large festival schedules had to be finalized in March. So, all Memorial Day activities, from the Fireman’s carnival and parade to the huge craft fair that usually attracts over 130 vendors, were cancelled. The 4th of July fireworks and day-long celebration had to be reduced to having a smaller fireworks display incorporated into a minor league baseball game.
The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts (https://arts-festival.com) that is held in downtown State College and The Peoples Choice Festival (https://peopleschoicefestival.com) usually held in Boalsburg in July was cancelled for the second year in a row.
It has been interesting that smaller community festivals are being organized around the county to fill the empty weekends. These smaller venues are easier to plan, attract smaller crowds and give folks a place to celebrate getting back to normal.
This weekend in Boalsburg, on the grounds of the Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum (https://www.boalmuseum.com) a small festival was set up for a few vendors to share their wares. Ted’s family and I checked it out and got to see the inside of the Boal Barn that is under renovation. We had a few food choices, some interesting items for sale and time to wander the Boal Mansion property. A beautiful day was served up by Mother Nature and we feel like we’ve had a break from isolation. Hopefully, something resembling “normal” will develop over the next year. Here are a few pictures of the Boal Mansion “Antiques, Arts & Crafts” festival:
During the weekend, I let my granddaughters loose with my polymer clay. I think someday I might see their art creations at a festival someplace!
Sometimes the BEST festivals are with family! Enjoy your local festivals!
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