Wickedly cold winds and slushy streets and sidewalks didn’t deter women from coming to downtown New Kensington on Saturday afternoon for a little gal time.
Businesses on or near Fifth Avenue participated in the first Galentine’s Day event, sponsored by the New Ken Downtown Partnership. In addition to storefronts, several vendors were also set up at Voodoo Brewing.
Celebrated on Feb. 13, the day before Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day is an unofficial holiday dedicated to celebrating friendships among women. It originated with the 2010 “Galentine’sDay” episode of the NBC sitcom “Parks and Recreation.”
“It’s become more popular over the years,” said Kristina Pelican, of New Kensington, who was making flower bouquets with her mom, Pam Pelican, of New Kensington, at The Bag Lady, a shop featuring one-of-a-kind cups, bags and shirts that opened in November.
The idea for the New Kensington event was to do something during the dead of winter when people are less likely to walk around, organizer Michelle Thom said.
While it involved walking to the various businesses, it didn’t have folks exposed to the cold for long.
And that’s exactly what longtime friends Barbara Smith and Jackie Miller of Harrison had in mind for their day. Smith said Miller suggested they do it together, and she said “sure.”
“We are going to walk up and down and check out the other venues going on,” said Smith, who said she has also come to downtown New Kensington for the farmer’s market. “It like that they’re trying to build the town up. It’s nice.”
Crafts, or making things, featured in many of the businesses’ activities.
“Everybody came up with their own creative ideas,” Thom said.
At Lucky Duck Candy Co., which opened last June, women were lined up at the window counter making their own miniature candy jars. The sun coming through the window helped the day feel warmer than it was, but the weather ultimately was not a deterrent.
“Everybody’s been cooped inside. Everyone’s tired of staying in and not getting out,” said Mandy Simon, owner of Lucky Duck Candy with her husband, Mark.
A lover of arts and crafts, Simon said she wanted to come up with an activity that tied in candy.
“They’re really only limited by their creativity,” she said. “It’s cute to see everybody’s creations.”
At Voodoo Brewing, Elle Oakes of New Kensington got instruction from Lauren Knapp and Jenn Neilen, from Ash Taphouse, on creating a charcuterie board, which included pieces of salami molded into a rose and strawberries cut into heart shapes.
“I’m having a Galentine’s Day party at my house. This is going to be for my guests at my home,” Oakes said.
At Yinzspired, besties Crystal Sasinoski of Allegheny Township and Lindsay English of Penn Township were making stained-glass sun catchers.
“We decided why not come out and support the local businesses down here. It’s a fun day out,” English said.
While cold, “At least the snow isn’t as bad as last night,” she said. “It’s a cold day but a good day to be inside doing crafts.”
English said they always come for Fridays on Fifth, a food truck event held during the summer months on Fifth Avenue in New Kensington.
“That’s always a really fun night out with friends,” she said.
For those looking for something perhaps a little more permanent, Saints & Sailors Art Collective was offering “flash tattoos.”
Rebecca Moser of Leechburg couldn’t decide between two — a monstera leaf and a dragon — so she got both, one on each wrist.
“They’re all cute,” she said.