Smicksburg Fall Festival 2019

Even though the day was not sunny and bright, it was warm and dry and was an easy drive.  Teresa and I left after church and headed to Smicksburg to play in their Fall Festival.

All the shops and buildings were open except for the Smicksburg Country Store (really missed getting cheese and a yummy hot dog, Donna!).  Before we actually got there, though, we stopped at Yoder’s Pop Up Shop / aka Smicksburg Retreat Center.  I have to say that it is a wonderful resource for crafters, quilters, writers, or just friends who want to get away for the weekend.  Plenty of room, modern amenities, and darling guest room.  Check it out! 

We parked and walked up the street to the pottery,  

where the owner was making a bird.  I was amazed that she could look at a blob of clay and see an beautiful piece of art.  I saw a blob of clay. The fall adornments in the yards were cute and inviting.  We went next to the Primitive Peddler.   

The first thing we noticed in there was the wonderful aroma of butter-popcorn.  We walked around the store munching (sorry about the pieces that fell under the display racks!). If I had an extra two rooms in my house I could have bought a few dozen items.  Alas.  My favorite store is always The Drying Shed.  The aroma that hits you when you enter is from the huge bins of potpourri.  This time of year it is fall fragrances, like pumpkin and cinnamon and apple. The clever use of berry garlands and small glowing twinkle lights brought out the fall displays to their fullest.  The lantern displays on the second floor sparkled in the lights and snowy glitter.

Across the street at the Country Cupboard there were kitchen gadgets, little stuffed animals in a huge basket, and best of all:  fudge samples!  The chocolate walnut was my choice – ummm good.  Another pottery shop was a few houses down, and the proprietor was watching the Steeler game.  She also spent several minutes showing us her beautiful hand painted bowls and mugs featuring her pet bunnies.  Apparently she has had several.  They have their own room, their own bed, and always watch TV with her on the couch.  They also loved stuffed bunnies to play with.  Who would have thought. 

The Heritage Center is a small museum, featuring items donated by the town folks and those in the surrounding area.  There were several items donated by my Aunt Joan, including her upright piano.  We saw pictures and furniture spanning two centuries, and read articles about the McCormick Mansion and the very prevalent Amish community. And speaking of Amish, we spent several minutes walking through the Amish furniture and craft store.  I’m half-heartedly looking to replace a china cupboard and was dream shopping through all the delightful aisles.  A few more stores and an old schoolhouse antique shop, and we’d spent three hours browsing Smicksburg. 

And of course, although we had a great time looking through all the shops, the comments, conversation, and friendship we share when we spend time together was the real delight of the afternoon.  We had dinner at Valley Dairy in Blairsville, and their fish sandwich and sweet potato fries were the whipped cream on the top of the adventure.  I can’t think of a better way to spend any day than in a place very close to my heart with a friend who is equally so.  Already looking forward to the next outing.