Coitsville has 6th annual event

Vintage Ford trucks and Coupes were among the attractions at the car show.

By Sean Barron

Nine-year-old Jessica Grow of Coitsville hopes one day to make a name for herself as an actress, gymnast or artist.

She might not yet be in front of an easel with paintbrush in hand, but she was the subject of some colorful art — body-painting, that is.

I love the hayrides and face-painting,” Jessica said, describing her favorite aspects of Sunday’s sixth annual Coitsville Township Harvest Festival at the administration building on U.S. Route 422.

Jessica, a fourth-grader at Lowellville K-12 School, was easy to spot in the crowd of a few hundred who enjoyed the offerings, which included ideal weather.

Besides painted black whiskers on her face, she also sported an orange pumpkin on her right knee and a painted table complemented with two stick figures on her leg.

The fun started early for Jessica, who won a bag of candy and a few toys in a contest before performing a few gymnastics moves in the event’s talent show.

The family has attended all six festivals, said Jessica’s mother, Mary, who helped run a booth that featured a cake wheel. Participants paid 25 cents each and with a spin of the wheel, had an opportunity to win baked goods as part of a raffle, Mary Grow explained.

Also with Jessica were brothers Eric, 12, and 15-year-old Ryan.

The free, four-hour fest was set up to unify the community while showcasing the township, noted Wendy Olson, township secretary. It also was a fundraiser, with proceeds from activities to go toward the township fire and police departments.

Money would be used to upgrade equipment, meaning new radios for the police as well as flashlights and extra gear for firefighters.

“The main thing we want is to bring our community together,” added Christeen Partika, fiscal officer.

Also included were a Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle, games and activities for youngsters, a scarecrow-judging contest and a classic-car show.

Some people took their time perusing the numerous vintage vehicles, which included a light blue Coupe de Ville, a black two-door 1949 Ford Torino, a white 1967 Coronet and two F-1 trucks owned by Mark Torella of Struthers.

On hand were his red 1948 and black 1950 F-1 models, which he bought for $325 and $1,300, respectively.

Torella’s red vehicle used to be a metallic green with a small area of rust.

Nevertheless, he bought the truck about 25 years ago for parts and, after adding a battery and gasoline, it started immediately, he recalled. Torella’s newer addition is the 1950 model, which he bought roughly three years ago at theCanfield swap meet.

The trucks’ additions include 1949 Chrysler taillights, 1957 hubcaps, a 429-4V engine, drive-in speakers and an eight-track player. Both get between 10 and 14 mpg, Torella added.

“I made a bed and running board and restored the rest of it,” Torella said of his 1950 truck.

Also at the festival for the first time were members of Cub Scout Pack 100, Den 3 of Hubbard and Youngstown-based Boy Scout Troop 55.

The Scouts sold candy bars to raise money for field trips and camp outings, noted Steve Kacir, Pack 100’s leader and Troop 55’s assistant Scoutmaster.

The boys also were on hand to help clean up after the event, Kacir continued.

Conducting the auction was Mark Miller of All American Auction Services of Hubbard.

Entertainment was provided by Spurs of the Moment, a local quartet.