On the Inside Tanger Outlets Fall Festival Fun for Kids
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
FALL FESTIVAL FUN FOR KIDS (OF ALL AGES) ON THE INSIDE Exclusive interview with Russ & Melanie Bedner Bedner’s Farm & Greenhouse TANGER OUTLETS One Stop Shopping “Kids Color the Cover” contest winner Grace Delaney 2 WASHCOCHAMBER.COM CONTENTS Fall Festival Fun For Kids 8 fall/winter2015-16 (Of All Ages) “Kids Color the Cover” 13 Contest Winner and Finalists One Stop Shopping 14 Tanger Outlets adds new stores just in time for the season On The Inside 18 With Russ & Melanie Bedner Bedner’s Farm and Greenhouse Reaching for the Stars 24 Mingo Observatory marks 10th Anniversary Extended Stay 32 Washington County’s long, long history of hospitality Calendar 38 Upcoming Events for Fall and Winter History Reinvents Itself 42 One-of-a-kind Walking Tour INSIDE WASHINGTON COUNTY PRODUCED BY: PUBLISHER CREATIVE DIRECTOR/DESIGNER Jeff M. Kotula Mike Melone Washington County Chamber of Commerce Melone Advertising Group Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency ON THE COVER: PRODUCTION During the Washington County EXECUTIVE EDITOR Paula Dudley Agricultural Fair in August 2015, Tara M. Gleason Melone Advertising Group five to seven year old children Washington County Chamber of Commerce were asked to participate in the EDITORIAL “Kids Color the Cover” Contest MANAGING EDITOR Nicole Barley presented by Range Resources Debbie A. Sims Michael Bradwell and Washington County Tourism Washington County Chamber of Commerce Business Editor, Observer-Reporter Promotion Agency. Earl Bugaile Grace Delaney, our contest ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Jennie Dorris Matt Miller winner, carefully colored the Kristin Emery image shown on the cover. Observer Publishing Company Kathleen Hondru On page 13, the work of our nine finalists can be viewed. PRINTER Knepper Press ART / PHOTOGRAPHY Emily Hixon Photography 375 Southpointe Boulevard Melone Advertising Group Suite 240 Canonsburg, PA 15317 washcochamber.com visitwashingtoncountypa.com Inside Washington County is published by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce © Copyright 2015. All rights reserved. and Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency. 4 WASHCOCHAMBER.COM VISITWASHINGTONCOUNTYPA.COM 5 6 WASHCOCHAMBER.COM FALL FESTIVAL FUN FOR KIDS (OF ALL AGES) By Kathleen Hondru Fall is a special time of year – especially for children. There is the excitement about starting a new school year, reconnecting with friends and most definitely enjoying all the Fall rituals that make Washington County such a special place to grow up. When the evenings turn cool and Autumn glory is on full display, it is time to enjoy all the fun that Fall offer s to kids of all ages. And as if that is not enough, the season rewards us with an extra hour of sleep to recuperate from all the festivities! Be sure to take advantage of all the Fall festivals and activities available throughout Washington County this season. Simmons Farm The SpringHouse Peters Township North Strabane Township This family-owned farm nestled in the rolling hills of Peters Back at the main farm, you can always visit the farm animals If you are looking for some old-fashioned fun on the farm with the kids, Township offers plenty of fun for the family throughout the in the petting zoo area and apple picking is also offered. On look no further than The SpringHouse on weekends. Beginning Fall season. Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, you the weekends, things pick up with even more activities at the September 26 and running through the end of October, they will be will find lots to do! And if you have a Fall birthday to hay ride’s field destination with pony rides, live music and hosting Great Pumpkin weekend, full of food, fun and lots of activities celebrate, look no further. Simmons offers special packages delectable food vendors. for the kids. Make some fun Fall memories with the pumpkin patch for birthday parties at the farm. hayrides, corn maze, hay maze, Spidey Sling, giant bale jumping and its For the older kids, the 4-H Pumpkin Catapult and very own Pumpkin Land. During the week, you can enjoy tractor-drawn hay rides Apple Sling Shot are always fan-favorites. And if to Simmons Farm’s special Fall activities field, where you like to take your pumpkin carving to the next After working up an appetite from all the activities, you can feast on all kids can pick their own pumpkins, get lost in the level, be sure to check out the impressive Pumpkin things pumpkin at The SpringHouse’s Country Store, including pump- hay and corn mazes, climb on a fire truck and grab Carving Display at the market. For a full listing kin pies, cookies, breads, custards and even pumpkin soup! Sundays in a sack for riding down the 100-foot long slide. of all the action, go to simmonsfarm.c om. October will also include a traditional Hog Roast, featuring locally 4-H raised hogs. For more information, visit springhousemarket.com. 8 WASHCOCHAMBER.COM VISITWASHINGTONCOUNTYPA.COM 9 45th Annual Covered Bridge Festival Trax Farms Washington and Greene Counties Finleyville This year Trax Farms celebrates 150 years of farming and the 45th anniversary of its Fall Festival, which runs every weekend from September 19 – October 26. It has something for everyone, from grandparents to grandkids, and has become a tradition for families throughout Washington County and beyond. As you approach Trax Farms in the Fall, one of the first things you will notice is the huge piles of pumpkins, marking the start of the Fall Festival season. Fall Festival weekends offer an array of activities. Young kids will enjoy the bounce house, Rainbow Express train rides, the Petting Zoo, pumpkin patch, spin art and much more. Older kids will find even more to do with the Rockwall and Bungee Jumper. Everyone will enjoy the hayrides, live music and entertainment, giant slide and corn maze. And do not forget to bring your appetite! Trax’s famous fresh-pressed cider is available along with a full menu of sandwiches, sides and desserts, including gobs, hand-dipped caramel apples and homemade apple dumplings that are Held every year during the third weekend in September, picturesque countryside, while blending live history lessons, available throughout the fall festival season. this year on September 19 and 20, the Annual Covered such as civil war re-enactments and trade demonstrations, Bridge Festival is considered by many as the offi cial with plenty of kid-friendly fun and live entertainment. To keep kids of all ages in Fall spirits all season long, check kick-off to the Fall season. It showcases ten covered bridges, Kids will especially enjoy the horse-drawn wagon rides, out the Fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations in the historical treasures located throughout Washington and petting zoos, face painting, train rides, zip lines, bounce Trax Gifts and Garden Center. The fun does not have to stop Greene Counties. houses and more! when you leave; you can bring it home with you to enjoy all season long. For more Each festival location offers a unique schedule of events and Admission and parking are free with many locations offering information, visit live entertainment – with plenty of kids games, activities and handicap accessible parking. For a map of the festival and traxfarms.com. delicious Fall foods and treats. Visiting the bridges during this schedules by location, go to visitwashingtoncountypa.com. weekend is a wonderful way for families to explore the region’s Pennsylvania Bavarian Oktoberfest Canonsburg Oktoberfest celebrations return to Canonsburg for the oldies. The festival also features a variety of American and 17th year on September 18 – 20. Sponsored by the Greater ethnic foods, and continues the tradition of the Oktoberfest Canonsburg Chamber of Commerce, the festival is fun for Carnival with amusement rides and games. For more children of all ages; in fact it has been ranked in the Nation’s information, visit canonchamber.com/Oktoberfest. Top 10 Oktoberfest celebrations. Held on the streets of downtown Canonsburg, the festival features two stages of live music showcasing top German entertainment and local talent performing country, rock and VISITWASHINGTONCOUNTYPA.COM 11 Hickory Apple Festival “Kids Color the Cover” Contest Mt. Pleasant Township During the Washington County Agricultural Fair in August 2015, five to seven year old This annual festival – held every year in early October – children were asked to participate in the “Kids benefits the Mt. Pleasant Township Volunteer Fire Color the Cover” Contest presented by Range Company and features plenty of fun for kids – and lots of Resources and Washington County Tourism WINNER! apples too! This year’s festival will be held October 3 Promotion Agency. and 4. Games for kids include the traditional annual Grace Delaney apple bobbing and apple pie eating contests. There is also Age 7 Beth Center a petting zoo, face painting, balloon animals, moon walk, a fire safety house and hay rides for kids and families. The weekend festival will have live music and entertainment, along with great craft and food vendors. Kids love the annual pancake breakfast held Saturday morning in the dining room of the hall. But make sure NINE FINALISTS to leave room for apple treats – from candied to caramel, apple dumplings or apple pie, all washed down with apple cider – chilled or warm! For more infor mation on the festival, go to hickoryapplefest.com. Ava Barbao Age 7 Mae Coburn Age 7 Makayla Jackson Age 7 Ress Joe Walker Elementary Bentworth Elementary Pumpkin Festival Houston This annual October tradition – in its 33rd year – draws more than 75,000 visitors to the town of Houston for entertainment, food, games and crafts; all while raising funds for the Houston Fire Department. Mark your calendar for this year’s festival, running October 9 – 11. It has many fun activities for families and kids, including an inflatable slide and bounce house, a 30 foot rock wall, Euro Bungee, train rides, horse rides, pumpkin decorating, face decorating, a petting zoo, carriage rides Richelle Jones Age 5 Keirsten Lutz Age 7 Paityn Pawich Age 7 and games and contests for youngsters and teenagers.