PENFIELD – Elliott State Park was filled with people ranging from local to across the country as the High Country Arts and Crafts festival made its yearly return.
There was something for nearly everyone. Quilts, pillows, sports memorabilia, jewelry, candles, plants and holiday decorates to name even a small portion of what was available. A good portion of the stands also provided goods for those who count themselves as snowmen lovers.
“This is great. It’s a large and nice rural setting,” said Janet Coder of Milesburg.
“I’m enjoying it. It’s impressive,” said Elizabeth Cossick of San Francisco, CA.
The Clearfield Elks-run festival also serves local causes. The proceeds the Elks gets through the vendors goes back into operating costs. The food, however, is used for local charities and causes.
There 150 vendor spaces filed this year. According to Bev Lawhead, the vendor coordinator, this was about the same as last year. She described the turnout as “wonderful. A real good turn out”.
“Everyone’s happy. The weather’s good. A perfect day,” said Lawhead.
Between the vendors and food it was a great day for an outing for friends and family.
This was the 21st year for the High Country Fair. It was started by Howard Wise and Carole Berry.
“Because at the time this state park was slated to be torn down,” said Wise when asked why he helped started the festival.
Wise had seen the Civilian Conservation Corps replant the forest as a kid when he was in the boy scouts. As time went on the former teacher had seen Elliott State Park go from being home of the world’s largest tree nursery, zoo and a popular restaurant to being used as a dump for Interstate 80 related equipment.
The festival was a sentimental thing intending to restore some interest in the park.
“When you consider the first festival only had 35 people it just exploded according to the numbers,” said Wise.