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Community Corner

Family Fun Day: A Celebration of History and Nature

Saturday proves to be a joyous time of fun and laughter for the whole family in Sewickley Heights.

Cars filled the lot and lined both sides of Glen Mitchell Road for two hours Saturday afternoon on what was the first truly beautiful day of spring.

With such a gorgeous, sunny day to be outdoors, families flocked to and Nature Center for Family .

One of the biggest hits of the event, financed by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, turned out to be the pony rides. But the 2 to 4 p.m. time slot was packed full with as many family-friendly events as you could imagine.

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Inside Fern Hollow there were snacks and lemonade, large birds for up-close examination and a close view of the intricacies of a beehive.

Outside, happy children ran and played all over the lawn while a girl was horse jumping at the far end of the field.

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Shiny antique cars restored to all their former glory lined up for viewing. At the end of the line was the Co. 1927 American LaFrance Triple fire engine, resplendent after its four-year refurbishing.

There were jugglers, a clown who could blow bubbles with his hands and a stiltwalker or two.

Hoola hoops swung merrily around small children, and shrieks and laughter filled the air. Face painters created beautiful intricate designs on young faces everywhere.

Other highlights included a dove release and a guided tour of all the animals on hand, including a fox, a monkey, a skunk, a tortoise and more.

Possibly the only shadow on an otherwise perfect afternoon was the pony ride. Dozens of children spent more than an hour waiting to ride two ponies, missing out on other fun in the meantime.

At the end of the day, a handful of children continued to wait when the owners came and took the horses, without a word, away from the area.

Many stayed, thinking surely they were getting rest or water,after 20 minutes it was clear the ponies would not return. There were a few tears, as well as apologies from a Fern Hollow staff member.

The event coordinator could not be reached for comment.

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