7th annual Edwardsville Pierogi Festival underway

William O'Boyle, The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
·3 min read

Jun. 12—EDWARDSVILLE — On a dreary Friday for the start of the 7th annual Edwardsville Pierogi Festival, a stand full of silly socks brightened several people's day.

Teri Brogdale of Endicott, N.Y., was at her tent — the Silly Sock Lady — and that's exactly what she was selling.

Hanging around the inside of the tent and on tables were pairs after pairs of, yes, Silly Socks. The socks had images of most dog breeds, several different animals, food, sports, historical figures and more. And they come in sizes for women, men and kids.

"We have all different fun designs," Brogdale said. "Most people like the dog breed socks."

There are also non-binding socks (no silly patterns) and socks with funny sayings, like "Please just stop talking," and "I can't be responsible for what my face does when you talk."

It's a fun stop at the Pierogi Festival, which features several stands of varying wares that will find their way into people's homes.

Anna Marrona, of Hamburg, was at her Busy Beehive tent. She called her items — which are made of resin — for sale as "gift ware."

The craft vendors are lined up in one section of the John Hopkins Memorial Park off Main Street, and the food vendors are located adjacent. Here is where patrons can find many delicious offerings, like anything barbecue, hot dogs, cheese steaks, gyros, roasted corn, kielbasa, funnel cakes, fudge, ice cream, pudding, chicken and kebabs.

A nearby tent has a stage where the bands play one after another.

A pierogi cook-off contest will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, featuring Frank Westawski on the accordion.

Jackie Moran, of the Edwardsville Hometown Committee, said admission to the event is free as is entertainment.

Moran said the festival will follow and enforce all CDC COVID-19 guidelines during the event. The event center is spread out over the seven-acre park to ensure the best scenario for social distancing. Hand sanitizing stations are positioned throughout the venue.

There are rides, a petting zoo, raffles and games. The festival runs until 10 p.m. Saturday.

The Pierogi Parade will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. The parade will step off from Savage Street and Jackson Street and proceed down Jackson Street to Main Street to Zerby Avenue and into the festival grounds.

Parade participants:

Division 1

Edwardsville Borough Police

Edwardsville Hometown Committee

Edwardsville Borough Officials

Scouts BSA Troop 154

Cub Scout Pack 154

Immanuel Baptist Church

Wyoming Valley West Marching Spartans

Wyoming Valley West Cheerleaders

Girl Scout Troop 32105

Division 2

West Side Little league

Evlyn's Hand Tamed Foster Birds

Andrew Strish Funeral Home

AB Photography

Cosplayers Duo

Epic Attraction Marching Unit

Masters Elite Athletics

NEPA Mixed Martial Arts

Ed-Lark Mini Football and Cheer

Division 3

Hole Shots Car Club

Steven Smith Classic Car

Pennsylvania Amazing Pre-Teen Queen Rebecca Jurchak

Jane Waitkus, Luzerne County Council Candidate

District Judge Alexandra Kokura Kravitz

Junior Fire Chief Brian Lyons

Edwardsville Fire & EMS

Multiple Local First Responders

For more information about the event on Facebook — EdwardsvillePierogiFestival.