Raindrops kept falling on the heads of those trying to enjoy
Saturday’s events in Bradford, but as the saying goes, the show
must go on.

The October Fun Fest was held at the Grace Lutheran Church
activity center, but without the planned costume parade down Main
Street, explained Kathy Pascarella of the McKean County VNA.

“It was really rainy so we kept the activities at the center
there,” Pascarella said. “The kids really enjoyed the games.”

She explained students from the University of Pittsburgh at
Bradford had an activity table at the Fun Fest, and helped children
decorate bags and did story telling and other activities.

“It was a really nice collaboration,” Pascarella said. “The
Bradford Area School District teachers came down and helped with
the food. All the kids seemed to really enjoy themselves.”

Pascarella said the children were costumed in a lot of
traditional favorites – skeletons and ghosts, Dorothy and the
Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz. “We had quite a few
Spidermen.”

“The volunteers did a really good job putting things together,”
she added. “We had a lot of health and wellness focus this
year.”

While the several-hundred children in attendance stayed warm and
dry, Francie Ambuske of the Bradford Hospital Foundation explained
the same could not be said for those hearty souls who took part in
the Named Fund Honorary and Memorial Walk and Richard E. McDowell
Community Trail Saturday morning.

“We had a small group of people who came and walked between 9
and 11 (a.m.),” Ambuske said. “A lot of people just handed off
their sponsor sheets. There is still a lot of money outstanding
because a lot of people didn’t hand it in (Saturday).

“It was very wet and very cold. Those of us who were out there
understood the reasons why the other ones didn’t,” she said with a
laugh. “We had to be hale and hearty. The pond (along the trail)
was actually lacing over the walk. It was quite a challenging
rain.”

Ambuske said collectively, she believes about $1,500 was raised
for the hospital.

“In time, we’d like to have people out walking in support of all
the funds,” she said, explaining there are 45 different named funds
in existence. “It’s a healthy activity in support of the
hospital.”

Those out walking the trail for charity were not the only ones
braving the weather on Saturday. In Bradford’s downtown, the rain
didn’t scare away those creative individuals who participated in
the fifth annual scarecrow contest.

“Although this year’s scarecrow contest was somewhat hampered by
cold and rainy weather conditions, 10 unyielding participants set
up artful scarecrow displays along Main Street,” said Main Street
Manager Diane DeWalt.

The award for first place in the 8-12 year old category went to
George G. Blaisdell Life Skills, who displayed their scarecrow near
the United Way office. The second place entry was the Headless
Horseman created by Room 818 at Floyd C. Fretz Middle School.

According to DeWalt, Luther’s Kids from Emanuel Lutheran Church
took first place in the 13-17 year old category with Sponge Bob
Crow displayed on the corner of Chambers and Main streets. Second
place went to Peer Helpers from Bradford Area High School, whose
work was displayed in front of County National Bank.

In the 18 years and over category, the IAS Club on Marilyn Horne
Way took first place for their creative expression, with second
place going to Angela Nuzzo for Cowboy Cutie mounted at Veterans’
Square, DeWalt said.

Judging took place at 11 a.m. by volunteer judges Mollie
Shaffer, Dania Gross and Katie Newcombe. Winners were announced at
the October Fun Fest at the Grace Lutheran Church activity
center.

Those not present during the award announcements can pick up
their gift certificates at the Main Street Managers’ office at the
Main Street Mercantile, DeWalt said.