Celebrating the history of Union City and French Creek

  
 

 

  
 

 
 

 
 

Directions to The Gathering at French Creek Contact The Gathering at French Creek
 
 

 
 

 

The Gathering at French Creek is a festival that celebrates Union City, Pennsylvania's historic background of being a gathering place as the town is strategically located at a crossroads of both water and land routes.  Come join us in celebration of our area's rich heritage.  There is no admission charge.

The third annual Gathering at French Creek will be held July 11 - 13, 2008, on the grounds of the Union City Area School District and is scheduled to host the following activities:

Special thanks to Martha Blair

  

 
 
    Live Entertainment
  
 

 

Fridays Bands include:

 

Frank and Frankie McClard

Rick Magee and the Road House Rockers

 

Saturday Bands include:

 

Grassfire

Gem City Jazz Band

Dana Williams

Diablo II

 

Sunday Bands include:

 

Triumphant

Dixie Doodlers

  
 
 
  
 
    Re-enactors and Living Historians
  
 

 

Recreation of history from the French and Indian War through World War II featuring period costumes, cannon and rifle firing demonstrations, Civil War band music,  and close order drill demonstrations. There will be various living history displays from the French and Indian War  and Civil War featured in the re-enactors' area during the entire weekend.

 

Units confirmed to attend:

Cushing's / Taylor Battery

Hampton's Battery

Lake Erie Pirates

  
     
 
    Historical Displays and Tours
  
 

 

The very popular trolley tours will return for 2008 on both Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.  Two of Union City's most knowledgeable history buffs, Marsh Young and Monica Verbosky, will be your tour guides as you learn more about our town’s great history.  Art work by Union City students will show buildings in their glory days and old photos will be on display so you can see into the past as you ride past the current day locations.

 

Visit the art tent to view the drawings done by Mrs. Blair’s art students from the Union City High School Art Classes.  You can purchase copies of the drawings that were done for previous years' festivals.

 

  
     
 
    Craft Fair
  
 

 

Portrait painters

Carvers

Wood crafts

Pottery

Wildlife artists

Candle makers

Much, much more

  
 
 
  
 
    Outdoor Activities
  
 

 

Fly casting demonstration with Union City's own Marsh Young

Archery demonstrations presented by Dorn's Archery

Chainsaw artist Joe Armstrong

Girls' softball tournament

Bamboo fly rod making demonstration with Bill Joslin

Corn Toss game

Blacksmith demonstrations with David Himes

Outdoor power equipment and power sports displays

5K Run (entry form)

Classic Car Show on Saturday

Motorcycle Cruise In

Outdoor building displays

3-on-3 Basketball Tournament (entry form)

 

  
     
 
    Food Vendors
  
 

 

 

There will be food vendors selling everything to satisfy your craving during the weekend.  One highlight is a Chicken Barbeque on Saturday and Sunday.  You will be able to taste foods hot and cold, main dish to dessert, and from old fashion funnel cakes to current day hot dogs.  You will want to bring your appetite!

 

 

 

  
     
 
    Children's Crafts and Games
  
 

 

The popular Kids' Area is back for 2008 and will be open all day Saturday and Sunday.  This year we have sun catchers they will paint and take home, and the sand art is always a hit. Bird feeders are back by popular demand.  The kids will be able to hammer the pre-cut pieces together and bird food will be given to them to take home too.  Magic art bracelets allow the kids to design their own pattern and wear them or they can make a magic art pinwheel where they design the pattern and then put it together.  Butter churning is back and it's magical for the kids to see cream turned in to butter; and yummy too.  This year, tote bags will be available while supplies last. The children can put all their projects in them as well as decorate the bags with markers.  The popular scavenger hunt returns again this year with a mystery charm at the end.  If you click on the schedule link you will see that there are also a lot of fun games for them.

 

 
 
 
  
 
    Fireworks
  
 

 

The festivities on Friday close with another spectacular fireworks display presented by R&R Fireworks at dusk.  If you've missed the awesome show from previous years, you won't want to miss this one.  Many people have commented that the Gathering at French Creek puts on the best fireworks show that they've ever experienced...including those from our friends in Erie to the North.

 

  
     
 
    Sunday Worship Service (BYOC)
  
 

 

Bring Your Own Chair to the Gazebo for the non-denominational Community Worship Service.  Triumphant will start the morning with a gospel message with a swing followed by the reading of a letter from one of Union City's founding fathers and one of the original churches in our town.

 

  
 
   

French Creek Crossing

by Blain Blakeslee

Help support the Gathering at French Creek by purchasing a conservation print of this beautiful painting by local artist Blain Blakeslee.  More information is available by clicking here
 
     
 

The Gathering at French Creek

P.O. Box 172

Union City, PA 16438

  
 

contact@gatheringatfrenchcreek.com

  
     

 

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