Coal and Coke Heritage Music Festival draws young and old
Members of the Lorraine Susa Dance Unlimited perform to songs from the Broadway musical Annie at the Coal & Coke Heritage Music Festival.
Holly Tonini
Sal Ventura plays keyboard and sings lead vocals for the band Dr. Zoot and The Suits, a swing band from Pittsburgh during the Coal and Coke Heritage Music Festival held at Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus Saturday.
Harold Betters plays the trombone during his set at the Coal and Coke Heritage Music Festival at Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus on Saturday.
Al Peden plays the upright bass for the swing band Dr. Zoot and the Suits during a performance at the Coal and Coke Heritage Music Festival.
The band Tres Lads performs on stage at Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus during the Coal & Coke Heritage Music Festival on Saturday.
While the weather altered the look of the fourth Coal and Coke Heritage Music Festival, on Saturday it didn鈥檛 change the variety of performances that attendees were treated to at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.
As promised, the festival went on rain or shine. Unlike previous years, the performers were moved inside with bands performing on one stage and dancers and others performing on another.
Everything was moved to be centered around the Community Center.
Sally Moser of Uniontown, who has attended the festival every year with her husband, Kerry Moser, was awaiting a performance by jazz performer Harold Betters and Johnny Angel and The Halos.
鈥淚鈥檓 enjoying it,鈥� Sally Moser said.
Co-chairman Gina Jones said because of rain, the activities were moved indoors. However, she added that fortunately, they have a $6 million facility to use.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been super, super busy,鈥� Jones said.
In addition to the performances, she said they had a very successful car show throughout the early part of the day.
A variety of food vendors selling treats such as popcorn, cupcakes and big swirled lollipops were also on hand. Festival staples such as ice cream, sausage sandwiches and shaved ice were available as well.
Taking a time out after watching her daughter Amanda Kishel perform with her dance studio, Christine Kishel of Uniontown said she was enjoying the festival.
Denise Frameli of Belle Vernon and Susan Kishel of Brownsville were also enjoying their first time at the festival.
鈥淚 think it蘑菇视频 wonderful. There are a lot of nice things,鈥� Frameli said.
Artwork, jewelry, purses and T-shirts were among the items available for sale as well.
And kids could entertain themselves inside on one of three inflatable slides and bouncy houses.
The festival began at noon and included seven bands and concluded with fireworks at 9 p.m.
The Coal and Coke Heritage Music Festival was an idea of the late Penn State Fayette Chancellor Emmanuel Osagie, said Susan Brimo-Cox, director of Marketing and Communications for Penn State Fayette.
The event was designed to celebrate the arts and culture indigenous to southwestern Pennsylvania with presentations of visual and performing arts.
According to Brimo-Cox, it also honors the pride and progress of these important industries in southwestern Pennsylvania that had regional and national impact on modern society. Also a key focus of the festival is a celebration of the culture of the immigrant and migrant miners who settled here in search of a better life for their families.