Claysburg Area Holds 48th Annual Community Days

The 48th Claysburg Area Community Days took place on August 10 and 11 at the community park. 

According to co-chairman Nancy Musselman, the event started as an effort to help out the non-profits within our community organizations, school groups, fire companies, and any organization.  

They set up, primarily, food and game booths.

She said if the committe brings in enough entertainment, it gives people a reason to come to the event, and allows non-profits to sell their wares.

They can use this as fundraising and bring awareness to their group.  

"I think many groups, not just in Claysburg, but all over, are sometimes having trouble getting people to join," she said. "So, this gives them some attention within the community, shows  people what's there and then they can sell their wares and use it as a fundraiser."

The committee is an extension of the Claysburg Alumni Association.  That group started 48 years ago as a way to highlight non-profits in the community.

"We do allow people to come in and set up craft booths," Musselman said. "That also brings in people, who like to eat and do some shopping and we have entertainment.  We try to make it so that all age groups have something that they can enjoy."

Sonya McElroy, owner of Sonya's Custom Creations said she set up her booth for the first time last year and returned this year because of the people.

"Nancy, who helps organize this is awesome – I just like the community gathering," she said.

Owner of Cuddleback Farms, 17-year-old Alivia Snyder raises dairy goats and makes soaps, lotions, and lotion bars.  

"I started this when I was nine years old - it's been about eight years," she said.  "We sell it at multiple stores and go to craft vendor shows and have open houses, where you can come meet the goats."

Snyder said that they have been coming to community days for about five years.

She comes to the event because she lives there and it allows her to see people from the Claysburg community who support her.

Heidi Kennedy, President of The Claysburg Community Theatre says that CACT is raising funds towards regular expenses like purchasing lights and microphones and paying for their insurance.

She said that this year, they are selling tea, tacos, and treats. 

The iced tea is brewed by many of their members.

"We do sun tea, on-the-stove tea, and old-fashioned tea with flavoring – we have walking tacos and we have nachos," Kennedy said. "This year, we added dodgers and funnel cakes."

She said that not only do they have to raise some funds, but it is also good to be active in the community. 

"We are getting ready to do 9 to 5 and it is a great way for us, who are involved in community theatre, to bring in new members and talk up the show and talk up being a member," Kennedy said.

She said that she wants people to know that it takes a village and a lot of volunteers to run a booth like theirs. 

"We even reach out to extended family members of our members to come and help – we thank all of those people as well," Kennedy said.