Goats, chickens, sheep and ponies are not usually found at Turner Friendship Park in Penn Hills.
For one day, it was all youths talked about as they wandered the grounds for the municipality’s fifth annual Summerfest.
“Oh my God, there were so many things,” said Shaina Thomas, 10, of Monroeville. “It’s fun.”
The animals were from Pony Time Ranch & Mobile Petting Zoo of Lowellville, Ohio. They also had turkeys and bunnies.
Brianna Banner, 8, of Penn Hills said her favorite animal was the pony — and she hopes they bring more next time.
Summerfest has become an early August tradition in Penn Hills.
The festival is presented by the municipality’s parks and recreation department. Event coordinators were Melissa Waldron, Chris Polaski, Greg Drayer and director John Scaglione.
Event planning starts in January. The committee meets once a month and divvies up responsibilities.
Waldron said the group takes pride in providing great events like Summerfest.
“It’s free for the community,” she said. “It’s a good way for local businesses, organizations and churches to help promote themselves. Our children’s area is run by three of our local churches … I just love this community. I’m a stay-at-home mom and I want to give back. This is how I do it.”
There were food trucks, live entertainment, inflatable attractions, small games of chance and a fireworks display to close out the evening.
Penn Hills Shady Tree Commission had trees and apparel for sale, as well as free rock painting.
Leanne Boody, 19, of Penn Hills graduated from high school last year. She said she volunteered at one of the Summerfest booths last year and wanted to enjoy it this time as a spectator.
“I think it’s good for kids in the community to get to do fun things,” Boody said. “I thought the petting zoo this year was really good.”
Christine Marianna and her daughter, Julia, 5, of Plum operated the Pittsburgh Cookie Table booth, where children decorated sugar cookies.
“It’s going well,” Marianna said about Summerfest. “We’re very involved with Penn Hills.”
Marianna is on the Penn Hills Girls Softball Association board.
Councilman John Petrucci made his way around the park grounds and enjoyed the festivities.
“I think it’s an awesome event,” he said. “It brings the people together. There’s plenty of things to do here. There’s food trucks. It’s a very nice day. We’re blessed to have it. Each year, it gets a little better.”
