In the Good Olde Summertime

33 Years ago gas was fifty-five cents a gallon and a Ford Mustang would have cost you less than $4,000.  Ah, memories!  Another great thing to remember from 1974 is the inaugural year of The Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival.  Those were the good old days!  You could take your family to a wonderful, local event featuring live, non-stop, contemporary, traditional, classical, and folk music.  There was great food, an art show, some of the best crafters in the nation, a petting zoo, a Children’s Area, and more! June 30th through July 3rd is the 33rd annual Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival at Twin Lakes Park.  The theme is “In the Good Old Summertime,” because some memories never change.

From The Jaggerz to the Joe “Grkmania” Grkman Band, there is something for everyone.  And if you’re feeling patriotic with July 4th around the corner, you won’t want to miss performances by the 307th Army Band and the 97th Regimental String Band!  That’s just for starters.  Enjoy performances on three stages, all day, every day of the festival, as well as strolling performers you won’t want to miss.  Come see the llamas; they’re waiting for you!  

“Almost 25% of the population of Westmoreland County attends this event each year,” said Donnie Gutherie, the Festival’s Executive Director. “We attract 6% of the region.” Those incredible numbers are due to the wide range of attractions and the stunning natural beauty of Twin Lakes Park.  “This year colorful decorations of garlands, lights, kites, beach balls, pinwheels, and more reflect our theme, harkening back to days In the Good Old Summertime.”  

Each year the Arts and Heritage Festival features a professionally jurored art show: the Westmoreland Arts Nationals.  Another demonstration of the Festival’s commitment to the humanities is The Westmoreland Poetry and Short Story contest.  

Perhaps the Festival’s biggest draw is the Artist Market, where some of the best craftspeople in the country offer everything from fine woodworking, jewelry, metalwork, stained glass, leather, basketry, and ceramics to contemporary and folk art.  

Food vendors always pull out all the stops, serving everything from traditional summer favorites like kettle corn and fresh raspberry pie to delicious Polish, Greek, and Thai cuisine.  

The Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival’s mission is to enlighten, entertain, and enrich the community while preserving and demonstrating Pennsylvania’s rich historical and living cultural heritage. For more information, including the latest up-to-date information, visit the website at www.artsandheritage.com.