The delightful fall festival—Twisted Wilderfest—celebrating friends, family and arts and crafts makes its return on Saturday, September 30

By Mary Malik

Fall is festival season, and the City of Green is once again joining the fun and hosting the 4th Annual Twisted Wilderfest, on Saturday, September 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Southgate Park.

Joan Smith, long time committee member of Green’s art-A-palooza fine arts event and owner of Gallery 143 in Uniontown, a custom frame shop and art gallery, says the committee really wanted to create something more “organic” for the community to enjoy.

“Art-A-palooza is wonderful and something people have looked forward to for the 19 years we’ve been doing it,” Joan says. “We wanted Twisted Wilderfest to be more arts and crafts than fine arts and really take advantage of the beauty and history of Southgate Park.”

Joan contacted Kim Goodhart, Green Parks and Recreation program coordinator, who jumped at the idea to create another event to raise awareness of this beautiful city.

“We loved the idea of showcasing the creativity and natural beauty of Green,” Kim says. “We focus on the beauty and bounty of our natural surroundings by also inviting visitors to tour Southgate Farm, a fully sustainable working farm raising pigs and growing fruits and vegetables in the middle of Green.”

Twisted Wilderfest is definitely more crafts than fine art and includes everything from jewelry, pottery, glass, woodworking, ceramics, soaps and lotions to specialty foods and candles, photography, clothing, accessories and many more unique artisans.

“That’s what’s so special about Twisted Wilderfest. It’s very casual and not too tightly defined as far as art shows go,” says Joan. “It really works in the wooded setting and is a very family-friendly event.”

Joan describes Twisted Wilderfest as a bucolic, relaxing day, where attendees can expect to blissfully wander the more than 80 vendor booths experiencing all the beautiful crafts, foods and music this community has to offer. You can even watch some of the artists create things like hooked rugs and other demonstrations.

In case you’re wondering, the name Twisted Wilderfest comes from the location of Southgate Park, which is behind the Twisted Olive Italian American restaurant and next to Boettler Park.

“Twisted Wilderfest is designed to showcase Southgate Park, an area many people may not be aware even exists,” Joan says. “We want to raise that awareness of this truly beautiful area. It’s just one more natural wonder of Green.”

On September 30, rain or shine, Twisted Wilderfest will feature wandering musicians and several food trucks along with the artists. The ever-popular hayride will also be back. Families also enjoy touring Lichtenwalter Historic School House in Boettler Park, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Built in 1885, the one-room schoolhouse was rebuilt to its original specifications after a fire in 2016. It now stands fully restored and ready for visitors.

“Our very successful pumpkin patch is in its second year now. Attendees can take a hay wagon ride to the pumpkin patch to choose their own pumpkin or we will have some at the entrance of Twisted WilderFest for purchase. Pumpkins are $5.00.”

And that’s the atmosphere Joan and Kim are trying to create with Twisted Wilderfest. Come wander, eat, listen and enjoy a fun and creative day with the family.

For more information on Twisted Wilderfest, check the website cityofgreen.org or call 330-896-6621.