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WILKES-BARRE — Patrons might have shivered a bit, but overcast skies and blustery winds didn’t stop patrons from attending one of the city’s annual rites of spring — the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at Kirby Park.
The two-event, which continues today, offers carnival food favorites such as potato pancakes, gyros and funnel cakes, with some more atypical treats such as fried Pop-Tarts and Oreos.
Mike Sabia, owner of the Sweet Lush Cupcake Camper attended the festival as a vendor for the third year. He said Saturday’s crowd seemed slightly smaller than in years past, and he blamed that on the weather.
“Last year, it was 75 and sunny,” he said as he looked up at the sky from his serving window.
Sabia said he enjoys taking part in community events, even making a special cherry blossom cupcake to sell to his customers. The sweet treat includes a white cake with cherry filling and cherry blossom buttercream icing on top, he said.
Patrons were able to shop an array of items as they walked around the paved path inside the park, including clothing, jewelry, artwork and home decor. Children also had a plethora of choices, from airbrushed tattoos and pony rides to games and carnival rides.
One game in particular caught the eye of 3-year-old Madison Purkey, of Pittston, who made every attempt at catching a shark with a small fishing pole in hopes of a prize.
After several failed attempts, her father, Justin, stepped in to help, and later her mother, Ashley. After a few more tries, Madison gleefully pulled up a shark from the bottom of the tub on her fishing pole as her family members watched with delight. Showing off her win, she was able to pick a prize, choosing a pretty pink stuffed seahorse.
Holding a small fish in a container, Justin said Madison, who was on a winning streak, enjoyed the event and wanted to continue playing the games. So the family opted for a game where the prize would “last a little longer.”
“It was something to do, something to get out of the house,” he said, explaining why the family came to the event. “It’s cold and there’s not as many people, but I like it that way.”
As the crowds started to fade and vendors began packing up their wares, Jim and Erin McGavin, of Wilkes-Barre, also began heading home. The family usually attends the festival every year, and this year was no exception.
“We were hoping it was going to be a little nicer, a little warmer,” Jim said. “But it was nice. It seemed like it got busier in terms of what was here.”
As the sun was beginning to set, many took time to walk around the park or go down to the lake, taking in the scenery and the beautiful pink blossoms on the trees from which the festival gets its name before jumping in line for one last funnel cake.
