Saxonburg Festival of the Arts gets thumbs up

Frank and Lisa Bogacz paid a brief visit Sunday to Saxonburg Festival of the Arts with one goal in mind: keeping the kids happy.

"They wanted to ride the trolley," Lisa Bogacz said of the couple's children, Grace, 6, and Daniel, 4.

Because they live in neighboring Clinton Township, the Bogacz family was able to make the quick trip into town. They also found time to browse among the more than 60 vendor booths at the event and chat with friends.

Bogacz said she and her family visit "most every year," which is why they didn't mind getting in and out.

"We always have fun here," her husband said, adding it doesn't take much for the family to have a good time. "We're simple people," he added.

The 26th annual festival, sponsored by the Saxonburg Historical and Restoration Commission to benefit Saxonburg Museum, Roebling Park and Cooper Hall, ran Saturday and Sunday. It drew about 3,500 people yesterday, publicity chairwoman Maria McCullough said.

Emily Morris, owner of Ms. Fannie's Fun Crafts, flashed a thumbs-up when asked if business at her tent was good.

Morris, who was selling fleece blankets, baby blankets and children's aprons, among other things, said she woke up at 4 a.m. to make aprons featuring Dora the Explorer because potential buyers asked Saturday if she had any.

Morris said she heard some vendors complain about a lack of business but said her experience over the weekend was good. She said she plans to have a tent at next year's festival.

Harry Fleischer, the festival's museum co-chairperson, said rain hampered the event on Saturday.

"You can't expect to make up in one day the business you lost the day before," he said. "On top of that, sometimes what you bring to sell isn't what people want."

Fleischer said that while he serves as a festival volunteer, he takes time each day to enjoy the event as a visitor, eating food, milling among the various booths and listening to music.

"This is a good, friendly place for people to meet and spend the day," he said. "It's also a good, safe place to bring the kids."

Saxonburg native Tracy Murphy, who now lives in Cranberry, said she enjoys the chance every year to take her children to the event. Daughter, Katelyn, 6, showed off the handmade dresses she bought for her American Girl doll.

In addition to Katelyn, Murphy spent the day with her son, Maddox, 3, and her mother, JoAnn Oleyar, who is working with the John Roebling's Historic Saxonburg Society to raise money to redesign Main Street.