September by the River brings out visitors, residents in Freeport

Away from the sound of music and the scent of funnel cake in Freeport’s Riverside Park, Ariel Cypher was working on her chalk art on Fifth Street Saturday afternoon.

Cypher of Harrison was among participants in the chalk art celebration that is part of this year’s annual September by the River.

In keeping with a theme of celebrating the Allegheny River, Cypher said the message of hers was, “If you can find the river, you can find your way home.”

The river brought people from Freeport and beyond to the borough Saturday for the first day of the two-day event, which the Freeport Renaissance Association has hosted since its founding in 2005.

It continues from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The association’s largest fundraiser, September by the River is intended to bring the community together, promote local businesses and bring people to town who may not know what Freeport has to offer, said Joanna Benefield-Spade, the association’s treasurer.

This year features a new layout with Riverside Drive closed to traffic. Benefield-Spade said that allowed them to bring in 26 vendors — double what they’ve had before.

“We’ve been able to spread the crowd out,” she said. “Everyone has room to breathe and enjoy all our vendors.”

The sunny weather that wasn’t too hot was also a cause for smiles, as Benefield-Spade said they’d dealt with rain and chills the last couple of years.

“People are out with their pets. I love how many pets there are,” she said. “It’s really nice. We got really lucky.”

Mary Jo Davis and her daughter, Laura Davis, both of Freeport were sharing a funnel cake and taking in the view of the river from a bench in the park.

“She found a ring, and I’m happy with a funnel cake,” Mary Jo Davis said.

Mary Beth Sinchak of Chicora was selling her custom tumblers from a table in front of Freeport Towers, where her aunt lives. This is her first year at the event.

Sinchak, who cleans houses for a living, started making tumblers as a hobby during the covid pandemic.

“They’re just my favorite thing to do,” she said.

One of her tumblers looks like a can of Lysol, while she was walking around drinking from one that looks like a Pringles potato chip can.

“People ask me if I’m OK,” she said. “I love the funny stuff. The funnier, the better.”

Back on Fifth Street, Michelle Young of Freeport started drawing a rainbow trout that four hours later came out looking more like a bass. She and others dubbed it “The Freeport Fish.”

A passerby said she thought it was the best she’d seen.

Young said it’s the first time she’s worked with chalk.

“Now I know I can do it,” she said. “I’m very happy with what I did.”

For those interested in coming Sunday, Benefield-Spade suggested checking out the raffles and said to come hungry.

“We have a lot of great food,” she said.