Festival Fun – Wellsville’s Ron Dumeur (right) presents Bud Grigo, Toronto, and his daughter, Julie Kirkton, Pittsburgh, with the many he’s made for sale at events such as the Toronto Arts Festival showed some of his canes and brooms. — Warren Scott
TORONTO — Intermittent showers weren’t enough to dampen the spirits of the many who gathered at the Toronto Arts Festival on Saturday and Sunday.
Locals and out-of-town visitors peruse the variety of merchandise for sale at booths in the city’s Gazebo Commons area, lined along North Third and Market streets. A musical activity in the parking lot of the Riverview United Methodist Church.
“It’s always amazing how many come out.” Brenda Schick, president of Focus in Toronto, a volunteer group that has organized the 44-year-old event every year for the past 14 years.
Cich said that in the first year there were only 35 vendors, but that number has more than doubled each year, and he is still grateful to them.
“We have come a long way. she said.
Among the many who came from outside Gem City for the event was Julie Kirkton of Pittsburgh, who acknowledged a local connection named her father, Bud Grigo, who lives in Toronto. .
“I like looking for jewelry and gifts.” Said Kirkton, who stopped by to see what Ron Dumeur, also known as the village broommaker, was selling.
Wellsville resident DuMoul has created a variety of walking sticks and brooms among the many handcrafted items sold at the festival.
A retired FirstEnergy employee, Mr. Dumoule was inspired to pursue the craft about 13 years ago when he saw artisans doing the same thing at a craft show in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. said.
“I went home and went to the garage to find the materials I needed.” He said.
Each piece can take days of work, but it’s something he enjoys.
“It’s not my job. It’s more of a passion. If I make the perfect broom, it might be perfect.” Dumoor said.
Also sharing their talents were more than a dozen young authors from Toronto Middle School who participated in a poetry contest led by Linda Glenn and Cathy Thomas.
Many people stepped onto the festival stage to read their work. Some fellow students were recruited to share poems written by those not present.
Poetry subjects range from seasons and holidays, pets and nature, local businesses and whole cities, from visions of afterlife in hell to the experience of grieving the death of a loved one.
After all the poems were read, a winner was named. Topping out were Cole Matthew Crook, Livia Bode and Pierce Ray, while second place winners consisted of Haley Bodner, Trenton Hess and Cheyenne Saunders. Honorable mention went to Maggie Long.
The teachers said they would all be treated to an ice cream party and given extra credit as a reward for their creativity and bravery in sharing their work publicly.
Main Street Museum visitors also heard from writers Mary Zwierzchowski, Tom Zielinski, and Bob Petras, who have all written books on local history.
While the members of Toronto’s Focus have been busy overseeing the weekend’s offerings, drawing various prizes by the hour, they’ve also been thinking about the upcoming Christmas Arts Festival, which will be announced in December. rice field.
Now in its fifth year, the event attracted 45-50 vendors inside the Kalafa Recreation Center.
“Like this, but indoors.” The group’s vice president, Julie Oort, said the company is also participating in the city’s Christmas parade, which will be held on December 3 at 5 p.m.
Ault said the nomination of the parade’s grand marshal will be made closer to the date via the Toronto, Ohio arts festival’s Facebook page. She added that applications from vendors for that event will also be posted there.
