Photo by Hannah Niederriter/Student contributor
By HANNAH NIEDERRITER
Student contributor
On Saturday, June 22, around two hundred people gathered to witness the 8th annual Strawberry Festival at Living Word Church in Oil City. The festival now accompanies the church’s annual car and motorcycle show.
Various vintage cars of numerous makes and models lined the parking lot. These vehicles, of colors varying from vibrant reds to sleek blacks, drew the attention of onlookers and attendees. Further on back, around ten street motorcycles from the public and the Christian Motorcycle Association were on display.
Photo by Hannah Niederriter/Student contributor
Lunch, including hot dogs and pulled pork, was served to anyone present, alongside concessions such as slushies and popcorn. Complimentary desserts were also available. Volunteers from the church dedicated a large majority of their afternoon to assist with both the distribution of food and any other tasks, like the Chinese auction. Younger volunteers mainly remained at the face painting booth.
Photo by Hannah Niederriter/Student contributor
In addition to the main attractions of the afternoon, there were other side events. These included the people’s choice car award, the people’s choice motorcycle award, a 50/50 raffle, and the Chinese auction. As for the winners of the choice awards, Andrew Prichard came out on top in the car section while Travis Earp took first place in the motorcycle division.
The general opinion of attendees and volunteers appeared to be quite positive. As said by Chris Agnew, “It doesn’t matter how big or small this festival and show are. It just matters if people are having a good time, which they are.”
“I think the fellowship of this event makes it special. The people are coming here for a bigger reason than just the cars. They are part of something larger, more important. The cars are just something that ties us together,” explained Travis Earp, current pastor of the church.
There are plans for these public events to both continue jointly for many years to come, and the members of the Living Word Church would appreciate further participation and assistance.
Hannah Niederriter is a student at Cranberry High School and a member of Cranberry Chronicles, the school’s journalism/publications group.
