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Townfest-ivities

Karin Sugiyama '27

Oct 4, 2024

Mercersburg is not only home to Mercersburg Academy but also to a vibrant community supported by its local businesses and community spirit. This year’s 45th Annual Mercersburg Townfest—hosted by the Tuscarora Area Chamber of Commerce—brought together students, families, faculty, and townspeople to enjoy a showcase of over 75 vendors offering a wide array of unique products and services. Each year, the event celebrates the rich history and diversity of the local culture of the small town.

Abby Buschkin ‘27, visiting with her family, expressed her excitement as a first-time attendee. “It’s really cool; they have a lot of stands that are fun and cute. I love seeing all the cultures,” she said. Ilana Pearl, Buschkin’s mom added, “It’s a great way to get to know the town.” She also pointed out her favorite item, the pumpkin whoopie pie, which she eagerly recommended to others. 

Liza Hoa ‘27 and Jillian Remeikas ‘27 explored Townfest together, sharing their enthusiasm for the event. Hoa said, “People are really nice, and there are some pretty cool products.” Remeikas added, “There are a lot of crochet stand. I liked those the most.” 

Among the vendors was Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade organization that originated in Hagerstown, Maryland and works with artisans in over 30 countries. Pam Risser, one of the representatives at the booth, said, “Our mission is to provide a market for the handcrafted items and to be sure that they're paid fairly and adequately for their work so that they can support their families, send their kids to school, and benefit the communities that they live in.”

Barbara Kyler, another representative at the booth, said at Townfest, “It’s such a good community event; it brings the community together!” As a Mercersburg townsperson, she emphasized the joy of reconnecting with the community. 

An annual standout at Townfest is the Amish donut stand. One of the salespeople, Elam Hostetler from Spring Run, PA, said, “We sell donuts, chips, some honey, and we also have some homemade candies.” Many attendees queued up, including Latin teacher Leah Long ‘97 and chemistry teacher Michelle Eichelberger. Long attended the event with her son, as she does every year. “I love the Amish donuts; they’re amazing. Totally worth two dollars,” Long said. “The Amish donuts were the reason I went to Townfest. I bought some extra for my advisees who didn’t have family visiting,” said Eichelberger. 

As the day came to a close, the animated atmosphere was enhanced by the sounds of local musicians filling the air with familiar tunes and drawing smiles. Attendees left with unique finds in hand and stories to share, looking forward to next year’s Mercersburg Townfest and the opportunity to once again celebrate the rich culture and community spirit of their beloved town.

Copyright 2024

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