Hang in there, weekend warriors. Your time is nigh, and the options for cramming fun into the next couple of days are numerous.
Throughout Westmoreland County (and slightly beyond), join the throngs to watch parades, wander through a pumpkin patch, shop for antiques and collectibles and check out a cabaret.
Ready, set, go!
Fan out for Fort Ligonier Days
Fort Ligonier Days is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2019. Generations of families enjoy visiting the charming town, which will explode into a three-day celebration of its iconic fort Oct. 11-13.
Craft and food vendors line the streets. Re-enactors man the fort and commemorate the pivotal Oct. 12, 1758, French and Indian War.
There is a 5K run, music and the not-to-be-missed community parade at 11 a.m. Saturday on East and West Main streets and merchant sidewalk sales.
Details: fortligonierdays.com
Fort Ligonier Days has fun for both you and the kids! Find the YMCA Kid's Korner for a bounce house, face painting, and more, and don't miss out on the pony rides at Ligonier Agway! There's all this and more at the Diamond Anniversary! #FortLigonierDays2019 pic.twitter.com/URDxg2Wf4q
— Fort Ligonier Days (@FortDays) October 5, 2019
It's the great pumpkin time
If you haven’t picked out your Halloween pumpkin yet, what are you waiting for?
The annual fall festival at Schramm Farms & Orchards in Penn Township is in full swing.
Through the end of October, the farm is a celebration of autumn, with scarecrows, play hay, two cornstalk mazes, pony rides and, of course, a large selection of pumpkins.
Work up an appetite while strolling through those mazes? Enjoy French fries made from the farm’s own potatoes, apple cider slush, homemade candy and caramel apples. Along with your pumpkins, grab some cornstalks and straw, gourds and ornamental corn to decorate at home.
Details: schrammfarms.com
A walk to remember
Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial Park in (nearby) Somerset County typically sells out its annual Walk 93 event, set for Oct. 12.
The 10 a.m. all-ages event — dogs are welcome, too — covers a 2.28-mile walk over the wetlands bridge, down to the Wall of Names and up the Western Overlook Trail.
Walkers will hear insight into the memorial’s architectural design, the living memorial landscape and sustainable initiatives at Flight 93 including the memorial groves, reforestation and the pollinator project.
The immersive program will include interpretive stops along the trail to tell the story of United Flight 93’s 40 passengers and crew members.
The memorial honors those aboard the plane when terrorists overtook and crashed it on Sept. 11, 2001.
Funds raised will support completion of the original memorial design, including future connections to the September 11th National Memorial Trail, as well as benches, trail development, tree planting, grove maintenance and more.
Details: 814-893-6552 or brooke_neel@partner.nps.gov
Ever wonder what Walk 93 is all about? Immerse yourself in the living memorial landscape and learn the story of Flight 93, and the themes and meaning behind the memorial's design. #FindYourPark #Honor93 pic.twitter.com/URxC1I2jIs
— Friends of Flight 93 (@FriendsFlight93) September 26, 2019
Life is a cabaret
Jeannette Community Band will put its own spin on its first cabaret performance, free to the public at 7 p.m. on Oct. 13 at the Jeannette American Legion.
In a departure from the band’s typical concert performances, the audience will be seated in a supper club arrangement of tables and the band will perform a limited number of tunes. The remainder of the all-ages program will be presented by solo performers, or small ensembles made up of band members.
The special performance will serve as a benefit for the Carl Masciantonio Memorial Music Fund. Masciantonio died in 2017.
“He was my high school band director and was our director at the community band for years. His daughters created a scholarship fund for local students going to college to study music,” says band secretary Sherrie Wood.
Details: jcbweb.com
Final antiques market set
Historic Hanna’s Town will hold the season’s final Antiques and Collectibles Market, a community tradition since 1974, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 13.
The market offers buying and selling opportunities for lovers of antiques and anyone seeking vintage items. Visitors can browse for bargains, enjoy a variety of food booths, and support local history preservation. Proceeds from this event have been vital for the re-creation of Historic Hanna’s Town. Over 100 vendors are expected to offer a variety of one-of-a-kind items covering a wide price range. This event will be held rain or shine. No pets, please.
Admission is $3 per car.
Details: westmorelandhistory.org
