Fort Allen Antique Farm Equipment Association to host Ice Cream Festival this weekend

The Fort Allen Antique Farm Equipment Association will host its annual Ice Cream Festival this weekend after being canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The association, located near Scottdale, is a nonprofit that focuses on the education, restoration and preservation regarding antique farm equipment.

President Wilbur Weaver said the association formed in the 1960s and has a variety of antique farming tools, including a shingle and saw mill.

Weaver of Weltytown said the Ice Cream Festival will be at 911 Porter Ave.. The opening ceremony — featuring the Mt. Pleasant American Legion Honor Guard — will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday by the flagpole.

The festival will begin at the same time Sunday, with a church service held in the maintenance building.

Weaver said the festival will last until about 5 or 6 p.m. both days. Activities will include saw and shingle mill demonstrations, a pedal tractor pull, a ropemaking demonstration, a tractor parade and a tractor rodeo.

Those interested in participating in the tractor parade or rodeo must sign up in the membership building before the event, which will begin at 1 p.m. both days.

A full lineup of activities can be found on the association’s Facebook page.

The festival will serve food and homemade ice cream. Attendees also can play horseshoes, watch blacksmith demonstrations and browse the flea market and craft tables.

Additionally, there will be a toy train and tractor display, as well as a tractor and equipment display.

Weaver said masks will not be required at the event, but the association will follow CDC guidelines.

Harvey Busch, one of the association’s directors, said the organization hosts a few shows each year in addition to the Ice Cream Festival. These include the Hammer In and Plow Days, which took place in early May.

The association also attends community events such as the Delmont Apple and Arts Festival and Fort Ligonier Days, which are set for early October.

Busch of Greensburg said the association is glad to be able to host the Ice Cream Festival again and hopes for a good turnout.

Weaver anticipates a large crowd after seeing the success of similar events in recent weeks and expressed gratitude to the community for its support throughout the pandemic.

Weaver also seeks to carry the association’s values and traditions to the next generation through the Ice Cream Festival.

“We’re hoping to (educate) the younger people,” Weaver said. “We’re not in it for the money.We’re in it for the fun.”