Published: August 25, 2008 01:32 pm            

Family-friendly festival | Forest Hills event slated for holiday weekend

BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

When it comes to entertainment, food and crafts, head for the hills.

The 20th annual Forest Hills Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday at Berwind Wayside Festival Park, Route 869, St. Michael.

The annual family-friendly event is sponsored by Friends of Johnstown Flood National Memorial.

Pauline Roberts of Mount Hope Road, festival publicist, said there will be new entertainment once again at this year’s festival.

The Cash Review, a Johnny Cash tribute band, will perform from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday and Ray Ryan’s New Orleans Riverside Band will play from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

“We have Out of His Mind Dancers, which we’ve never had before,” Roberts said. “They will dance from 6:30 to 7 Saturday.

“We always try to get local dancers.”

Other dance performances will include Sharon Yoder’s Dance Company from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Le Dance Academie from 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Elvis Presley impersonator Philip McCaulley of Tyrone has appeared at past festivals and will return this year.

McCaulley will bring the King to life from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

“He does a good job,” Roberts said. “He’s an ardent fan and gives some details of Elvis’ life, too.

“You can see he loves what he’s doing.”

Master Mix DJ/Terry Hoffman will open the festival Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Other Saturday entertainment will include the Morales Brothers from 5:30 to 6.

Another returning favorite is the husband-wife duo of Dan and Galla from Huntingdon County. They will perform from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The duo filled in last year when there was a last-minute cancellation in the entertainment lineup.

“They’re wonderful with children,” Roberts said.

“Everyone smiles when they’re on.”

Other Sunday entertainment will feature the Conniptions from 8 to 11.

A highlight of the festival is a fireworks display at 9 p.m. Sunday.

That Dam Duck Race, a festival staple, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday.

Proceeds benefit the Forest Hills hockey team.

Other entertainment on Monday will feature Rosie and the Jammers from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., The Masters from 1 to 2, country band Broken Spoke from 3 to 5 and Button Box from 6 to 8.

Food at the festival is furnished by local civic organizations and church groups.

“We’re famous for our barbecued ribs, which we don’t have every year,” Roberts said. “They’re back this year, along with lamb, pork and turkey. Ribs are big. They love them.”

Other new food items are tacos in a bag and candy apples.

Ham potpie, curly fries, pigs in the blanket and pierogi also are big sellers.

Crunchy treats will be kettle corn and nachos with cheese, while sweet treats will feature strawberry shortcake, apple dumplings, ice cream and gobs.

“Items have fluctuated through the years,” Roberts said. “There are a lot of groups who make food, and we get a variety.”

Roberts reported that as of last week, 70 craft spaces have been filled.

Children’s activities will include spin art and sand art, air-brush tattoos and a duck pond.

Admission to the festival and parking are free.

No pets are allowed on festival grounds, Roberts said.

Parking is available throughout the St. Michael area, including the Forest Hills High School parking lot and at the 1889 Clubhouse.

Proceeds from the festival will be used by the Friends group for projects at the Johnstown Flood National Memorial.



Tradition

What: 20th annual Forest Hills Festival.

Where: Berwind Wayside Festival Park, Route 869, St. Michael.

When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday.

Admission: Free.

        

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