Freeport's September by the River returns this weekend after last year's cancellation

A celebration of togetherness, local talent and support for nonprofits and small businesses returns to Freeport after a year hiatus due to the pandemic.

September by the River is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in Riverside Park along the Allegheny River.

“We’re super excited to be able to do it,” said Freeport Renaissance Association president Mary Bowlin. “It’s the kind of thing people look forward to every year. For us not to be able to do it last year was disheartening and we certainly want to pull it off this year.”

Presented annually by the association, planning usually begins in February or March.

“Things were just too uncertain,” vendor coordinator Tina Thomson said about the cancellation. “There wasn’t enough known for us to make a good decision to do it, so we felt it was a good decision to not do it especially when many of us (involved) are seniors.”

“We hope that people take precautions necessary for themselves (this year). We are excited to be able to bring it back to town.”

Organizers hope to make up for lost time with multiple music acts, food trucks, children’s activities and at least 30 vendors.

“It’s as many as we can fit in the section that we use there,” Thomson said.

One thing that was removed this year is the Chinese auction.

Thomson said the festival usually has about 30 gift baskets under a tent.

Organizers decided to not have it this time to help with social distancing.

Instead, there will be three individual raffles including one for gift cards, one for lottery tickets and one involving a “Wheelbarrow of Cheer” filled with adult beverages.

Fan favorites Lisa Marie’s School of Dance students are expected to return to the stage.

Thomson said the school has been a longtime supporter of the festival and always put on a good show.

Other local artists scheduled to perform include Anne Ferguson, Lauren Fischer, Anna Cruse, Bella McKivigan, Ella Sutara, Leah Hartman and Katelyn Hemphill.

“We have a lot of very talented youth in Freeport and we wanted to highlight that,” Bowlin said.

New activities include a petting zoo and horse-drawn wagon rides. The community boat dock will be available for recreational boaters to tie onto.

Festival activities begin at noon on both days.

However, Freeport Area Library will have its annual fundraising sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday along Market Street about a block away from the park.

Bowling said the festival would not be possible without the support of volunteers and her committee.

“We have a good committee that works on it, which is nice,” Bowlin said. “Everybody brings their expertise to the table. It is a lot of work, but it makes it less overwhelming when you have a good team.”

People can still sign up as volunteers. Masks are optional at the event.

More information is available at Freeportcommunity.com and the association’s Facebook page.