HRF hosts day of family-focused activities on Saturday

Franklin County’s annual Homochitto River Festival on Saturday, Oct. 22 in downtown Meadville will spotlight a host of family-centered activities.

A car show will welcome classic, late-model, custom and 4-by-4 vehicles with top entrants in each division recognized along with the crowning of an overall grand champion.

It will be held in the courthouse parking lot facing Walnut Street.

Additionally, a crowd favorite will be selected by those visiting the car show throughout the day.

Vehicles will be displayed throughout the day until at least 5 p.m., on Saturday.

An art show will also be held with works in several mediums — watercolors, pencil-marker, acrylic paint, oil paint and pencil color — being accepted.

Artists were limited to three pieces for the show with some works entered being available for sale to the public.

Also slated to return to this year’s festival is the popular Pet Parade, which will take place on the Franklin County Courthouse lawn.

Pet owners and their furry — or otherwise — friends will parade to help jumpstart festival activities at 10 a.m.

Pets taking part will also be judged with prizes awarded in several categories, including best costume, cutest, owner look-alike, most unusual and best in show.

Of course, one of the biggest attractions will be the vendors selling arts and crafts, food and beverages along with trinkets of just about every description.

Vendors will line Main Street between the East and West stages stretching between Edison and Walnut streets as well as a portion of Oak Street between Main and First streets.

Additionally, vendors will now populate more of Walnut Street between Main and Second streets — stretching toward the new South stage that will be located near Sullivan’s Kitchen and Produce and the Wade Creekmore C Spire Operations Center building.

Vendors maps can be found on the festival’s website at www.homochittoriverfestival.org.

Another aspect to this year’s festival will be a children’s activities and gaming area.

There will be a $10 gate fee that allows access to all scheduled festival events.