The "It's Now Or Never" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Singing along with Elvis as he performs his 1960 song "It's Now or Never."  I'm sitting on a very uncomfortable metal chair in the South Stage tent at the Boalsburg's 2015 People's Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts listening to Elvis impersonator Brad Crum perform his umpteenth song in front of a surprisingly very sparse crowd.  About forty-five minutes ago, as Carol and I, along with our friends Jerry and Just Sue who live in nearby State College, were walking across the grounds of the Boalsburg Military Museum, I said to her, "Look, Elvis is in the house!"  Well, we headed his way and in a minute or two I found myself standing next to him for a photo.  

Elvis meets LDub.  Elvis is the one with the hair!

Not the same as the REAL Elvis, but at least the guy had more hair than me.  Our visit today was to explore the People's Choice Festival which has been a yearly trip for us over the past decade.  It is held the same weekend that the juried art show in State College, The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, is held which features some of the best artists in the United States.  It was back in the early 1990's that artist George Marion noticed that many of the local artists weren't accepted into the Festival of the Arts in State College, so he and his wife Nancy, both of whom are artists, began to organize the People's Choice event.  The Marion's, along with artists Cindy Rockey and John and Georgia Madison found the nearby Military Museum was available so in 1993 they began The People's Choice with a few dozen artists, food vendors and bands.  

The design on this year's shirt.

Since that time the event has grown to where it now attracts over 100,000 visitors each year.  This year is the 23rd year of the show and still holds true to it's original purpose which was to give Pennsylvania artists a chance to participate in the show.  This year's show featured just about every art medium from basket weaving to pottery to leather work to wood carving to broom making.  Every year a new design is created by one of the artists which is used on a t-shirt that is sold onsite.  This year there was also a petting zoo, pony rides, animal rescue tents, children's train, BMX stunt show, face painting, bouncy houses and of course food vendors.  

The tents that line the grounds at the art show.

Almost three dozen food vendors that offered just about anything to eat plus six local wineries which offered taste testing and sales of wine.  One of the hits of the show though is the entertainment that is offered.  Everything from a magician to Chamber players to quartet singers to The Sweet Adelines to our favorite, Elvis!  We listened to the 90 minute presentation, singing along on quite a few, and had a great time tapping our feet, clapping and laughing as some people attempted to dance along to the songs.  And Elvis really wowed the small group as well as wrapping a few of his signature colored scarves around the necks of a few of the females in the audience.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

A few of the food vendors at the show.

The broom maker.

Santa's made from gourds. 

Hitching a ride!

Petting zoo for the children.

Elvis on stage at the South Tent.

Can't imagine how long this took to make with all the tiles and jewels.  The artist also had musical instruments done in the same manner that were beautiful.

A rather unique combination.  Pieces of pottery were fired and then the caning was added.  Beautiful idea. 

One of my animal friends.