TodayLittle Buffalo Festival enters 24th continuous year
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Article RatingThanks to local initiative, talent and commitment, this year's Little Buffalo Festival, A Community Celebration of Arts in the Park promises to be one of the best yet.
Now in its 24th continuous year of operation -- the second as a community-sponsored event -- the festival will include children's programs, Civil War re-enactors, arts, crafts, workshops, food and a full schedule of musical entertainment, including the popular Martini Bros., considered by many to be a top independent rock act in central Pennsylvania.
The event Oct. 6 is being supported by a locally matched $4,500 grant from Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts, the regional arts funding partnership of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency.
PPA is administered by Community Partnerships Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc.
The free event is being produced and managed by The Buffalos, a resident volunteer group, and is sponsored by Little Buffalo State Park.
"We have a great group," said Tom Vracarich, one of the leading Buffalo organizers. "It's just a joy working together to make this happen."
Vracarich said it's because of the Buffalo energy and support from the local community that the festival, which had lost some of its spark in recent years, has regained its popularity as a great community-supported art.
"If the community wants it, they have to support it," he said, which they have done through donations.
The Buffalos hope this year's event, held from 1 to 7 p.m., creates a good base for next year's 25th anniversary celebration.
Children's area
The Little Buffalo Festival of the arts will offer an enticing variety of participatory and hands-on activities for families of all ages.
Lexi Lu & Her Story Time Kritters, a professional puppet company, will be there to bring children's literature alive through the antics of a host of charming characters.
Debra Takach will be dressed in authentic Native American clothing telling stories and making crafts with the children. Lara Vracarich, trained dancer and instructor, will present peaceful dance and drumming activites to get the crowd up and moving.
And, back by popular demand, Marlene Dum from Capital Area Head Start will instruct young and old alike in the fine art of designing and constructing newspaper hats.
There will also be face painting, free-style painting and tables with supplies to make shakers, dancer's anklets, masks, dream catchers and more.
All activities are free. Materials will be provided.
The historic Shoaff's Mill will be in operation as well from 1 to 3 p.m.
Local artists
Many visual artists, craftsmen and craftswomen will be on-site at the festival to demonstrate and sell their creations.
Some of the local talent includes Elizabeth Ute Sufrin of Newport, who will provide life portrait drawings; Kathy Eckhaus of Elliottsburg, who specializes in hand woven wearables; Scotty Brown of Duncannon, who is widely known for her artistic renderings of local history; and Carrie Romano of Carlisle, who handcrafts quilted and patchwork bags, stroller quilts, baby necessities and full-size quilts.
For festival-goers who love tie-dye, the Duncanno resident Kim Wolf will be on-hand. Also, a number of woodworkers will present their artistry, including Ed Guion of Elliottsburg, who handcrafts unique, scale models of country cottages, barns, covered bridges and more.
A series of workshops will also take place throughout the day at 1, 2, 3 and 4:15 p.m. They will range from dance therapy and biodiesel basics to a writing workshop and introduction to Ashtanga Yoga.
"It's a blessing," Vracarich said about the festival coming together the way it has. "It's a celebration of art and culture in the absolutely pristine location of Little Buffalo."
He said the park has been very supportive of the free format.
"It takes a lot of effort," he added, noting the great job of The Buffalos to organize the day's activities.
Little Buffalo State Park is located along State Park Road just outside of Newport.
