The 26th Annual Harvest Fest featured a special Family Zone in the Findley Lake Fire Hall, as well as shuttle service from three area parking lots, free to all. The traditional beer tent, wine tasting, live music, book sale, and great food were complimented by beautiful weather throughout the weekend.

The event continues to grow in popularity, and many people return to the area from as far away as Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Buffalo to “visit our family,” and go to the Harvest Fest. “It’s excellent! We have a lot of fun walking around with the kids and the family,” said Garett Gaydosh of Cleveland. “I think it’s just the small-town feel — music playing, a festive vibe – it has a unique feel to it.”

The festival, which was held last weekend, had some important new services. To ease the problem of parking, shuttle service was available from the Mina Community Center, the basketball courts on School Street and the Mina Highway Department.

“It runs really smooth,” said longtime Findley Lake resident Judy Hunt. “I heard someone on the shuttle say that even though it’s so busy, everyone is friendly and accommodating.”

The streets of Findley Lake were crowded throughout the annual Harvest Festival from Friday evening through Sunday.

Not only does Hunt attend the festival, but she volunteers at the Alexander Findley Community Library book sale at the waterwheel overlook building. “It’s so nice to hear someone say, ‘that was my favorite book when I was little, and then to buy it for a child they know,’ ” she said.

Other visitors enjoyed the book sale, as well. “The festival is great,” said Hannah Zemanski, who brought her family from Pittsburgh and was a first-timer at the festival. “We just got here, and I was happy to see that there was a book sale.”

A new attraction this year was the Family Zone in the fire hall, on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors were invited to “Stop in and get a free balloon, play some games, do some crafts, jump in the bounce house, get your face painted, and love on some cuddly creatures!”

Barb Cooper, Director of Marketing and fundraising for the Camp at Findley, which sponsored the Family Zone, said the new areas were made possible by financial donations from area businesses, such as Findley Lake Forward and “so many volunteers who have been so wonderful!”

Cooper said the Family Zone was a massive undertaking, but well worth the work. “I loved it. Everybody has been so great,” she said. “It’s a place where you don’t just drop your kids off, but the families interact and have fun.”

The bounce house, large yard games and the live animals were outside, behind the fire hall, giving families more room to spread out and have a good time. “I love the balloons and the bounce house!’ shouted one 4-year-old boy as he chased his balloon across the lawn behind the building.”

This was the nature of the comments that Larry Gross, co-owner of Our Own Candle Company said he heard throughout the weekend. “I didn’t hear any negative comments, at all,” he said. “And I think business was up between 12 and 15%.”

Gross also said the changes came about out of necessity, especially the shuttle service. “Each year, we see what needs to be done and it becomes obvious how we can make things better for the following year,” he said.

Pat and Caroline Rudy, who came from Pittsburgh, said the festival was, in a word, Awesome! “We come up every year,” said Caroline. “We enjoy the laidback atmosphere, good vendors, good bands – it is very relaxing.”:

Hannah Marvil had just arrived with friends and family from Pittsburgh and was enjoying every moment. “It’s cool,” she said. “It’s cool to see people come out and get a taste of what life is like around here.”