Organizers cautiously optimistic

Apr. 15—Local officials hope this year will mark the 40th annual Buhl Day celebration — a benchmark the modern festival would have reached last year had it not been for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Named after industrialists Frank and Julia Buhl, Buhl Day started in the 1910s and revived in 1980. The Labor Day festival was canceled early last year as the pandemic worsened and the state limited events and public gatherings.

Buhl Day is among several local happenings canceled last year during the pandemic, which put the kibosh on large gatherings. This year, organizers of summer celebrations are cautiously, yet optimistically, preparing to hold their events.

After the first full meeting of Buhl Day's committee Tuesday, George Gerhart, who handles fundraising for the festival, said organizers plan to hold the festival so long as conditions continue to improve.

"All the members of the committee are excited to be planning for this," Gerhart said. "We're moving full speed ahead and we hope for the best."

Previous Buhl Day celebrations have included a parade that made its way up East State Street before turning onto Buhl Boulevard and ending at the park, where the festival takes place. Offerings include food vendors from local groups and activities such as rock walls, puppet shows, magicians and pony rides, as well as musical performances throughout the day, Gerhart said.

A 5K run precedes the parade, and other events help fill out the weekend, including golf tournaments for men and women at the Dum Dum course, a car show and a children's fishing tournament, Gerhart said.

"Everybody loves a parade," Gerhart said. "And we have something for adults, something for teenagers, and something for kids of various ages."

Since the committee met only recently, Gerhart said officials were in the process of reaching out to the different vendors and participants. In a normal year, the event would have approximately 25 vendors, and more than 10,000 visitors depending on the weather.

Updates on Buhl Day will be shared on the festival's Facebook page, Gerhart said.

Even though the events in question are still months off, the organizers have to begin planning for them to go off without a hitch. For some summer events, now might already be too late.

This year's WaterFire, which normally features entertainment, food, and art and crafts vendors is hoping to go one-for-two. The event has drawn thousands to downtown Sharon three times every summer starting in 2014 through 2018.

Organizers had planned to hold two events in 2020, but both were canceled due to the pandemic.

Though there will not be a July festival, Operations Manager Karen Anderson said officials are planning to hold a festival in late summer or early fall, possibly sometime in September when she hopes the vaccine and other factors free festival goers from pandemic effects.

Normally the event features about 15 food vendors and 50 to 55 artist vendors, while the number of visitors is difficult to track due to the festival being free to attend.

It takes about 400 volunteers to make WaterFire possible, which is why officials are closely monitoring the pandemic and the necessary safety regulations — both for visitors and vendors, as well as the volunteers who handle everything from loading the braziers, large metal baskets where volunteers burn wood for display on the Shenango River, to lighting torches, Anderson said.

"We have to be very conscientious that our volunteers feel safe doing what they need to be doing," Anderson said.

Information on the event and volunteering can be found at WaterFire, Sharon's Facebook page and website, www.waterfiresharonpa.org, she said.

One summer event — Hermitage Arts, Food and Music Festival — is already on its way back. Planners for the festival announced recently that this year's event will be held from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 31, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, at its traditional location in Rodney White Olympic Park, said Ed Chess, festival organizer and Hermitage parks and recreation director.

The festival will include food and art vendors, musical entertainment, and activities by Mr. Ralf from the OH WOW! Roger and Gloria Jones Children's Center for Science and Technology in Youngstown, Chess said.

The Hermitage Arts Festival Race is also expected to return, which is held Sunday, Aug. 1, before the festival begins. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race begins at 8 a.m., with an entrance fee of $30, $25 for participants who register before July 26, organizer and fellow city employee Beth McCracken Griffin said.

Proceeds from the race will benefit the YMCA's financial assistance program for youth and families who couldn't normally afford the facility's programs, said Beth McCracken Griffin, race organizer and Hermitage city employee.

One highlight of the Aug. 1 festival schedule is a dog show, where visitors can bring their dogs and dress them according to the show's "summer" theme. The dog show, which begins at noon, is free of charge with prizes available to the winners.

Like David L. Dye on Facebook or email him at ddye@sharonherald.com.