While Fort Ligonier Days goes virtual, events still planned around town

Like many other fairs and festivals, Fort Ligonier Days was canceled this year due to the pandemic — though it will be available in virtual form at fortligonierdays.com.

But that doesn’t mean the streets of the picturesque borough will be empty and quiet this weekend.

The Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce, merchants, other organizations and, of course, Fort Ligonier will be offering special events, sidewalk sales, music and food to remind the public that Ligonier is still open for business.

After the cancellation was announced, chamber representatives approached borough council for approval to hold sidewalk sales that take place annually in conjunction with the festival.

Sidewalk sales will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

The chamber will be offering visitors a Ligonier Business Bingo. Visitors will obtain a bingo card with the names of participating local businesses. As they enter those businesses, they will receive a sticker on their card.

Cards that are entirely filled out can be entered into a drawing for prizes including golf for four and a $100 gift certificate from Ligonier Country Club, a $250 gift card from Giant Eagle, a television and a gift certificate from Beauty Boutique at Salon One.

The Ligonier Chamber Days events also will include music in Pondstone Park, off North Main Street, sponsored by nearby Carol and Dave’s Roadhouse. The schedule includes Derek Woods, 6-9 p.m. Friday; Jacian Blaze, 6-9 p.m. Saturday; and DJ Steve, noon-3 p.m. Sunday.

‘Unique opportunity’

Other businesses and organizations also have planned weekend events:

• Fort Ligonier: Sale of the new 1762 Whiskey crafted for the fort by Wigle Whiskey is set for 10:30 a.m.-3:3o p.m. Friday. The cost is $50 per 375 ml. bottle or two for $90; quantities are limited.

Admission will be free from 4-6 p.m. Friday for a commemoration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1958 bicentennial visit to the fort, which spurred creation of the festival.

The 1758 Battle of Fort Ligonier will be commemorated from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday with special guided tours and living history demonstrations. Advance timed ticket reservations are required. Battle reenactments will not be held this year.

“While this year’s event looks different due to the pandemic, it provides us with a unique opportunity to offer (programming) that we could not normally offer during a traditional Fort Ligonier Days weekend,” said Julie Donovan, Fort Ligonier’s director of marketing and public relations, adding that all events will follow CDC safety protocols.

• 15658 Daze, Saturday at Ligonier Tavern & Table, with music by The Bricks from 2-5 p.m. and the Cash-Out Show from 6-9 p.m. Stateside vodka samples will be available on the back deck, along with merchandise and coupons for local merchants.

• Oktoberfest, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on the Ligonier Country Market grounds at the west end of town. Hosted by Loyalhanna Watershed Association, the event will include food vendors, local brewers and distillers, activities and live music, including Unnecessary Polka, a band that plays polkas, jazz standards, oldies and country tunes.

Tickets are $5 and must be purchased in advance at oktoberfestligonier.eventbrite.com.

• Valley Firefighters Appreciation Day, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday at Champion Lakes Golf Resort in Fairfield. Event will feature food trucks, live local music, games and a golf tournament at 1 p.m. Saturday. Daryll and Kim will perform from 7-9 p.m. Saturday.

• Chad’s Corn Maze and Cairns Pumpkin Patch, off Route 711 south of Ligonier, will be open during the weekend. The maze features a 1.5-mile non-haunted trail in a 5-acre cornfield. The design of this year’s maze is based on “Good Directions,” a song by country singer Billy Currington.

“(Not having) Fort Days is a big loss, but I think we’ll have a good many people come out anyway,” said Danny McMaster, owner of Ligonier Outfitters on West Main Street.

Details: ligonier.com