Third Annual Wild West Festival is May 6
MORRISDALE – Are you tired of the restrictions of modern life and looking for an escape to an earlier time? Perhaps the Forgotten Hearts Horse Sanctuary in Morrisdale has your answer.
On May 6 the Morrisdale Fireman’s Rec Center is hosting the charity’s Third Annual Wild West Festival.
“Come dressed in your best western outfit and maybe win a prize. Spend a day in the Wild, Wild, West,” it teases in their marketing material.
You can ride a horse, pony, or enjoy a ride in a horse drawn wagon. Have your photo taken at an “old time photo booth” and grab a snack at the “Tumbleweed Saloon.”
New this year is a mechanical bull ride and a pink bouncy castle.
There will be games for the kids who can pan for gold, pick up ducks or participate in sack races.
This event also features vendors, food, flea market, an auction, 50/50 drawing, line dancing, a DJ, the band Agitated State, and Kneppy’s fireworks.
“I’m extremely excited about this third festival,” said organizer, Lana Hubler-Thompson.
“Our very own hometown rock band, Agitated State will be bellowing out some great tunes and Brian has incredible vocals. What a great, fun group of guys!”
Marshall Scott and Deputy Sheriff Chuck will once again be “patrolling the town for train robbers, horse thieves, bank robbers and bad guys” or simply anyone causing havoc. Violators will “be thrown in jail.”
Festivities begin at 9:00 a.m. with the charity auction. At 10:00 a.m. Sandy & the Country Crew Line Dancers will perform. Sandy teaches in DuBois and also at the Philipsburg YMCA, explained Hubler-Thompson.
From 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. you can get on a pony or enjoy a horse drawn wagon ride.
A special dinner at 2:00 p.m. will recognize local veterans who also receive a gift.
The band plays at 3:00 p.m. and the fireworks are scheduled for 8:00 p.m.
Some of the vendors include Farmhouse Favors, Mr. Wags Pet Salon & Kennel, Dr. Fudgee’s, Carmella’s Soy Candles, Handmade Rag Rugs by Cookie and Bob Rairigh, Sissy’s Sassy Apples, and Blue’s Barkin Bakery.
Clearfield County’s Pennsylvania Animal Response Team will be on hand.
Hubler-Thompson explained that Forgotten Hearts rescues abused, neglected, unwanted and slaughter bound horses. She then retrains and re-homes the horses, but some of them have found a forever home at the sanctuary.
Hubler-Thompson who started the organization ten years ago, said she has many future plans for the sanctuary which will benefit veterans including getting a bigger barn with a riding arena for use in a riding programs for veterans, therapy for special needs, depression, health and mental issues; and open programs for any age horse lovers.
This is in honor of her father who was a U.S. Army veteran who loved horses and “because veterans are the heart of our country”. Veterans need to be loved, respected and cherished.
“We really want to target them and this year we are having events through the year for them,” she said.
She credits her father for supporting her love of horses which began when she was 2-years-old. Her dad gave her “my first beautiful pinto pony, Beauty when I was 6-years-old.”
The organization’s goal is “to build a huge riding center for our communities to use that would focus on our veterans, and anyone wanting to come and hang out with our beautiful rescues to pet, groom, and ride/drive them. It gives these precious souls a purpose and is the best therapy and pick me up in the world for everyone.”
Her continued love of horses is obvious.
“Everyday after work, I’m in the barn, my favorite place to be, feeding, watering, cleaning, grooming, and riding the horses.
“Horses are one of God’s most beautiful, loving, magnificent creatures and should be treated as such. But many times they are treated the worst.”
She spoke of the benefit of having horses because they are “so positively wonderful to be around for the mind, body and soul.
“Horses have been proven to heal humans emotionally and physically by riding and handling them,” she noted.
If you would like to support her efforts to stop horse slaughter and/or the sanctuary, you can contact her at 814-577-4834 or send a check to: Forgotten Hearts Horse Sanctuary, 963 Allport Cutoff, Morrisdale, PA 16858.
Forgotten Hearts Horse Sanctuary is a 501C3 nonprofit horse so all donations are tax deductible and appreciated, she said.