LearnLearn More More at www.fortligonierdays.com at www.fortligonierdays.com FORTFORT LIGONIER LIGONIER DAYS DAYS DIAMONDDIAMOND ANNIVERSARY ANNIVERSARY octoberoctober11,11, 12 12&1&13,3, 2019 2019 yearsyears of of history, history, communitycommunity and and fun! fun! WELCOME TO FORT LIGONIER DAYS 2019! IT’S OUR 60TH ANNIVERSARY... the Diamond Jubilee of this hometown celebration that annually draws thousands from their own hometowns all over America. Ligonier’s history began when the British Army built Fort Ligonier in 1758. Now Fort Ligonier Days is very much a part of our town’s history and its future. This program guide will help you to share in the fun of our 60th Anniversary. Turn the pages to see what’s where and when all over town: the dizzying variety of food, the wall-to-wall live music and entertainment, battle re- enactments, tours of the the meticulously reconstructed fort, shopping guides for the carefully chosen arts and crafts booths, highlights of local businesses and restaurants, the exciting 5K race, and one of the finest parades you’ll ever see - all the work of countless volunteers who strive every year to make your Fort Days a pleasure. Use this guide and its maps to optimize your fun. That’s what Fort Days is all about. Ligonier Outfitters Fly Fishing Center 127 W. Main Street • Ligonier, PA 15658 724-238-4900 Full Line of Men’s and Women’s Sportswear & Outerwear The Area’s Largest Merrell Shoe Dealer Full Line Dealer WELCOME TO BARBOUR COUNTRY FREE SHIPPING WITH CATALOG ORDERS adno=6719170 FORT LIGONIER DAYS IS A PET-FREE ENVIRONMENT I NO BACKPACKS I NO OPEN CONTAINERS 2 724-537-5161 724-537-6881 [email protected] adno=6719178 3 Pitt Band, Grand Marshals, will headline 2019 Fort Ligonier Days Parade The Fort Ligonier Days Parade continues to be a one of the most popular features of the three-day festival, attracting thousands to the parade route up and down Main Street. This year Mr. and Mrs. S.P. Mellon will serve as honorary grand marshals, riding in a beautifully restored 1934 Packard convertible, owned by Guy Davis of Greensburg. The University of Pittsburgh Marching Band, sporting their new uniforms, will be another highlight of this year’s parade. This will be their only appearance in a community parade this year. The Pitt Band is one of the greatest traditions at the university. As the largest and most visible student organization on campus, Pitt Band is dedicated to excellence in marching and musical performance, promoting spirit on and off campus, providing an unforgettable experience for Pitt fans and band members alike. The big parade will step off from East Main and Bell Streets at 11 AM Saturday, Oct. 12. Unless duty calls, the Pennsylvania State Police Ceremonial Unit will lead the parade along with the Ligonier Valley Honor Guard. Along with the Pitt Band, some of the largest high school bands in the region will be taking part, including the Butler Golden Tornado Band and the Morgantown, WV band, both 300 strong. Also look for the Hempfield, Derry and Ligonier Valley bands. Appearing for the first time ever will be the Philip Barbour High School Band from Philippi, West Virginia. “They called and asked to take part in the parade because they’ve heard so much about it,” related Tom Stablein, parade chairman. In addition, Steeline Pittsburgh (Steelers’ band) will be marching, and if you like bagpipes, the Seton Hill Pipe Band, the Southwest PA Pipe Band and the Pittsburgh Firefighters Memorial Pipe Band will be appearing. In addition, the Kittanning Firemen’s Band will perform, joined by their horse- drawn Pittsburgh Brewing Company wagon. The “Shopper Chopper,” a huge motorized grocery cart that is street legal, will be returning for the parade, sponsored by Giant Eagle, along with the big Radio Flyer Wagon, coming all the way from Mississippi – a 15-hour drive. Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch will also be back (he loves taking part in the Fort FORT LIGONIER DAYS IS A PET-FREE ENVIRONMENT I NO BACKPACKS I NO OPEN CONTAINERS 4 Ligonier Days Parade), and look for Pittsburgh and Johnstown newscasters including Wendy Bell of KDKA Radio, WTAE’s Michelle Wright and Kelly Sasso, WPXI’s Melanie Marsalko, Rick Earle and Scott Harbaugh, and WWCP’s Jess Plue and Josh Fosbrink. The Forces of Fort Ligonier – made up of 18th century British, French, Colonial and Indian re-enactors – will have a big contingent among the historic marching units. Children who took part in Fort Ligonier’s annual colonial costume contest will also be appearing. The HT High Flyers jump rope team will be performing along the parade route, and there will also be a contingent of young 5K runners. Also watch for Pittsburgh professional sports mascots Steely McBeam, Iceburg, and the Pirate Parrot, arranged by Ligonier Giant Eagle. Antique cars and trucks will also be in the lineup including at least 10 Fords from the Three Rivers Model A Club along with Art McMullen’s Model A and a contingent of Power Wagons. Gallliker Dairy will have a replica of its first ice cream delivery truck, circa 1914. Also look for the popular Syria Temple Shrine units and their zany vehicles. As for floats, look for the Ligonier Valley Historical Society (last year’s winner), Valley School of Ligonier, Ligonier Cub Scout Pack 370, Derry Area Historical Society and Christ the Divine Teacher School, Latrobe. Valley School has been participating for more than two decades. This year’s theme is “Preserving Ligonier’s History.” Chairman Stablein credits a loyal contingent of about 20 volunteers who show up Saturday morning to make it happen and keep the parade running smoothly, plus his committee that works throughout the year – Susan Woolridge and Barb Smith and Sheryl Bendorf. Parade-goers are reminded to refrain from setting up chairs along the parade route until 6 PM Friday. Organizers also note that no pets are allowed in the festival area. For the latest information visit www.fortligonierdays.com. FORT LIGONIER DAYS IS A PET-FREE ENVIRONMENT I NO BACKPACKS I NO OPEN CONTAINERS 5 FORT LIGONIER DAYS powered by 800-538-1020 www.ClevelandBrothers.com ©2017 Caterpillar.All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, BUILTFOR IT,their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” the “Power Edge” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission. www.cat.com /www.caterpillar.com adno=6719722 6 Crafters from 15 states represented at Fort Ligonier Days Fort Ligonier Days is well known for its battle re-enactments at Fort Ligonier, the popular Saturday parade, food booths around the Ligonier Diamond and almost constant entertainment, but for craft lovers it’s a huge show featuring upwards of 200 booths at a half dozen locations. A great majority of the crafters are from Pennsylvania, but this year’s list shows nine from Ohio, seven from New York, two each from West Virginia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and others from Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, Tennessee, Indiana, and as far as Alabama and Colorado. Those attending Fort Ligonier Days this year will be pleased to see a variety of new items as well as some popular booths that festival goers return to year after year. Roger Young, a potter from Somerset who now lives near Cumberland, MD, is one of the those crafters who has been showing his wares at Fort Ligonier Days year after year. He first came in 1976, the U.S. Bicentennial year, so this marks his 44th consecutive appearance. “I was right out of college and heard about the show,” he recalls. He applied and was accepted and has been coming ever since. “I liked it. It’s a great time of year, and I’ve developed a tremendous following. People come from all over to my booth – it’s almost like a reunion. There are so many returning people, and I know many of them by name. Some have been collectors 30 to 35 years. It’s a wonderful weekend to connect. It’s the people, not so much the sales, that I look forward to.” Roger still does his work the old-fashioned way, without shortcuts. “It’s a lot of work to make good pottery,” he says. “It’s back-breaking work. I fire at the hottest temperatures (2,400 degrees F. with reduced FORT LIGONIER DAYS IS A PET-FREE ENVIRONMENT I NO BACKPACKS I NO OPEN CONTAINERS 7 atmosphere), so the process is very expensive.” But the result is “unique and glorious glazes.” Over the years, he’s fired over 800 kilns of glazed pottery – sometimes 200 to 300 coffee cups per firing, using a kiln in Somerset he designed and built himself in 1996. Roger says he tries to make things that are usable – drinking vessels, bowls, pitchers, etc. His inventory normally includes 35 to 40 different pieces. He also does some custom work. At age 66, he says he’s winding down. He only does one other festival, in Bedford, and his display is smaller than it once was. But he always looks forward to returning to Fort Ligonier Days. His booth can be found in the Municipal Lot near the West Church Street entrance. Sarah McCarty, an English teacher from Richeyville, Washington County, PA, has attended Fort Ligonier Days in the past, but this is her first year as a crafter, bringing “Nebraska Bridge Vintage” to the show. The name comes from an iconic bridge near Tionesta, PA, her childhood home. About 11 years ago she crafted a spoon ring, then another, “and it became a thing,” she relates.