CLARION, Pa., September 28 – For most of Pennsylvania, autumn means shortened days, cold nights, beautiful reds and oranges in the trees.
In Clarion County, the beginning of the fall season also means Autumn Leaf Festival is in town.
Autumn Leaf Festival, or ALF, as it is commonly known, is the week-long festival that takes place in Clarion every fall. The festival brings live entertainment, sidewalk sales, parades, a car show and carnival food.
The vendors that dot Main Street during ALF is one of the reasons that keep people returning year after year to the festival. This warm welcome shown every year to the vendors is what keeps them coming back, too.
Tony and Theresa Provenzale, owners of Provenzale’s Concessions, have been in business for 25 years.
Their top seller, the “Original Steak Hoagie Sandwich,” first appeared in Clarion 20 years ago when Provenzale’s Concessions started at ALF.
“This is our last stop of the season and it is always a good fair,” said Provenzale.
Since the end of April, Provenzale’s Concessions has attended fairs throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Another vendor, The Bamboo Palace, located beside Northwest Bank, has been attending ALF for more than 27 years.
Owner Bob Ponziami said the preparation begins in May and the business runs all summer.
“Of course the parades and Crafter’s Day give us the best turnout of customers, but even in the worst of weather conditions we have always done well,” said Ponziami.
When asked what it takes to apply for a permit, he chuckled and said, “a lot of money.”
Ponziami said the Chamber of Commerce always invites vendors back year after year if they “mind their P’s and Q’s.”
Kathy Fowler, of Fowler’s Candies, has been a vendor at ALF for 34 years. Fowler’s is a family- owned business that started 35 years ago, and specializes in candies such as taffy and candied apples. They also have lemonade.
Fowler’s Candies vendor stand is located in Memorial Park.
Fowler noted the potential revenue that can be predicted, “(It) all depends on the weather!”
