Rides, music, animal encounters provide families day of fun at Mammoth Fest in Mt. Pleasant Township

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Carnival rides, engaging animals, live music and favorite foods provided a variety of fun for families who spent part of their Sunday at the annual Mammoth Fest in Mt. Pleasant Township.

A repeat visitor, nurse Brandi Barrick of neighboring Mt. Pleasant Borough brought her four kids to enjoy this year's one-day event in Mammoth Park.

"It doesn't cost a lot of money, and the kids always have a blast," she said. "There are a lot of rides and games for them."

Admission was free for much of the festival's offerings, while a pass for the rides and other special attractions cost just a few dollars.

"There are things for parents to look at, too," Barrick said, referring to about 50 booths set up by crafters, businesses and service providers.

Before the day ended, Barrick planned to indulge in a chicken pita at Aumer's, one of more than a dozen food vendors.

"This is one of the only times I can get one of those," she said of her preferred festival fare.

Miranda John of Jeannette was a first-time visitor, attending with a large group including her five kids and other extended family.

Exotic Edventures, an interactive educational show featuring rescued exotic animals, was a must-see for the family.

"It's something for the kids to do," John said. "We have three bearded dragons at home, so they’re all about weird animals."

Daughter Kinzleigh, 5, was among the children who lined up for the chance to carefully touch the shell of a leopard tortoise.

"The kids are trying to talk us into getting a turtle now," said her mom.

Traveling to the festival from their Latrobe home, Kenzie Basenback, 2, and her mom, Alysha, were drawn to the festival's petting zoo, where the animals were somewhat less exotic.

Kenzie enjoyed petting the goats. Held by her mother, she also had a face-to-face meeting with a female camel, which nuzzled the hands of some of the visitors.

Alysha Basenback captured many memories to take home.

"The fact that they have a petting zoo here is wonderful, and I’ve got amazing shots of (Kenzie) playing with the animals," she said. "She absolutely loves them."

Visitors packed both of the festival's animal attractions.

"Where else are the kids going to see a camel around here?" said Chris Panichella, county parks coordinator.

He noted Exotic Edventures has been a popular addition to past county festivals at Mammoth Park and Cedar Creek Park.

"The beautiful part about it is they’re all rescued animals," he said.

Other popular attractions at Mammoth Fest included a bingo tent and sets performed by bands Americana, offering classic country tunes, and Lone Crow Rebellion, with a blues-rock style.

"It's our second year back since covid, and the crowd seems to be pretty steady, like last year," Panichella said. "After church lets out, we always get a rush."

That crowd included Kelli Mroziak and Eric Metz, who came from Smithton with their two daughters, Madison, 3, and McKenzie Metz, 5. After the girls got gussied up with colorful designs at a face-painting booth, they planned to finish sampling all of the carnival rides.

McKenzie said she had fun on "the swing that goes round and round."

"We were just looking for some local things to do with the kids," Mroziak said. "It's a nice day."

A similar county-organized event, August Fun Fest, is planned from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 6 at Cedar Creek Park, off Route 51, a quarter-mile north of Interstate 70 in Rostraver. Added features at that festival include a car cruise and model railroad and model airplane displays.

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff by email at [email protected] or via Twitter .

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