“We couldn’t ask for a better day,” singer and songwriter Sasha Colette said in between songs in her set at the Harvest for the Hungry Fall Festival on Saturday.
Colette, of Olive Hill, Kentucky, performed at the fundraiser, followed by band Kelley’s Bridge.
Diane Porter, the director of the food pantry, said the day had started out a little cold and misty, before clearing up by afternoon, when families began attending the event, on Center Street, which had live music, games, food vendors, a pie eating contest, inflatables and more.
This was the pantry’s first attempt at a festival. They have hosted concerts in the past, but worked with a youth minter this year to create a larger family-friendly event.
Porter said the vendors were contributing a percentage of their sales to the pantry, which has a staff of about 25 volunteers and distributes food on Mondays and Wednesdays to the needy.
Board member and volunteer Lois Terkhorn greeted people arriving, dressed in a pig costume.
Porter said Terkhorn originally acquired for use at a bar-b-que event, but has used it on multiple occasions to attract attention to the group.
“She kind of become our mascot,” Porter said.
She said that anyone who wants to donate to the pantry can drop by their location on North Fifth Street, or visit the group on their Facebook page, which directs to donation instructions online.