Annual Mammoth Fest in Mt. Pleasant draws thousands of families to Westmoreland County park

Michelle Liprando of Harrison City watched as her daughter, Sienna, spun around and around and around on a motorcycle merry-go-round at Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant Township Sunday.

It became a familiar sight — the young girl went on the C&L Shows’ ride quite often during Westmoreland County’s annual Mammoth Fest.

“It’s a very nice day and everyone is great, the food is great,” Liprando said about the event. “Watching my kids have fun is great.”

Liprando said her husband, Nick, had heard about the event Saturday morning while searching for polka music on AM radio and felt it would be a fun time for the family.

Their other children, Olivia, 10, and Dominic, 6, were excited to feed the animals provided by Eighty Four-based Barnyard Petting Zoo and Pony Rides. It was the family’s first time at the festival.

The Liprandos were among the thousands of families who made the trek out to the township park.

Westmoreland County Parks & Recreation Parks Coordinator Chris Panichella said the festival is an early June tradition that spans more than 20 years.

“It’s for the community,” he said. “The whole point is to get people to come out and see the park. Maybe they’ve never been to this park. We’re real proud to raise money to provide people (park amenities). … We do it to show our appreciation back to the community for them coming every day.”

Panichella said his favorite part of the day is watching the children have fun at the petting zoo.

Admission was free. There was a $5 ride-all-day pass.

Any funds raised go toward maintenance and upgrades at all parks as well as matching grant funds for major projects.

Some of the recent improvements include new playgrounds, Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility and renovated restrooms.

Planning for the next Mammoth Fest begins shortly after the last one ends.

Panichella said there is an evaluation process, which includes input from seasonal helpers. Park authorities begin vendor calls in November.

Festival attractions

About 60 arts and crafts vendors and 11 food vendors signed up to participate in the festival.

Vendors included wood workers, crystal and gemstone sellers, face and body paint artists, apparel purveyors and local organizations providing information.

Foods included traditional festival fare such as deep fried delights, funnel cakes, corn dogs, chicken tenders, fries and ice cream.

Inflatables were brought back by popular demand. Exotic Edventures, an educational wildlife and animal rescue organization, brought several of its reptiles and animals including a boa constrictor named Ruby.

Led by wildlife educator Holly Rennell, many attendees got an up-close look at some of the friends from the State College-based program.

Live music was provided by the Aris Paul Band and Velveeta, a cheesy ’80s music group. Bingo games were played at one of the larger pavilions.

A tall climbing wall turned out to be quite the challenge for Cole Kline, 6, and his sister, Arilynn Bellan, 8, both of Latrobe. It was Cole’s birthday.

Their father, Erek Bellan, thought the festival would be a nice present and something everyone to do outdoors.

“They like to do stuff like this instead of staying at home all day,” Bellan said. “The kids like the rides and the wall.”

Arilynn said the hardest part about climbing the wall was getting her footing.

The next celebration on the parks calendar is the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival July 3-6 at Twin Lakes Park.

The next Westmoreland County Parks & Recreation fundraising festival is Aug. 3 at Cedar Creek Park.

More information about county parks and related activities is available at westmorelandcountypa.gov.